SL vs Zim: Craig Ervine and Seamers help Zimbabwe level the series with a crucial win
Dasun Shanaka's century in vain as Sri Lanka falls short in chase of 303
Cricket PassionEditor
Posted - 2022-01-19T11:11:02+06:00
Updated - 2022-01-19T11:11:02+06:00
Dasun Shanaka's first international hundreds was in vain as Zimbabwe celebrated their 12-run victory in the second ODI.
Regis Chakabva provided the early momentum of the innings, Craig Ervine hit 91 to go with Sean Williams to 106, and Sikandar Raza struck half a century late to put Zimbabwe to 302 for 7. But the visiting bowlers also had to keep their nerves.
A hundred by Dasun Shanaka and a 118-run streak between him and Kamindu Mendis wasn't quite enough to help Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe in the second ODI of the series at Pallekele.
Under pressure at 63/4 in a 303 chase, Shanaka helped Sri Lanka calm nerves with a brilliant hundred. Kamindu Mendis held an end steady with a solid half-century but Zimbabwe managed to keep the running rate on a leash and eventually broke the partnership with Richard Ngarava, who took the crucial wicket from Mendis.
Sri Lanka ended up down 22 runs, their last pair of wickets in the middle at the end. Chatara and Muzarabani shared three wickets each, while Ngarava and Wessley Madhevere each took one. Left-hander Wellington Masakadza also contributed to Zimbabwe's defence, conceding just 34 goals from his eight overs.
Zimbabwe had scored just seven fewer in the previous ODI, on a very similar surface and on the same ground. But this time they took Sri Lanka by the neck by claiming early wickets.
Kusal Mendis was dropped in the second over as a third man ahead of Muzarabani but Chatara ensured the error would hardly cost Zimbabwe by pushing one off to break through his defense for 7th Nissanka, arguably Sri Lanka's top batsman in the previous ODI he was out next, pushing a teasing Muzarabani delivery behind him.
When Chandimal Muzarabani went wide in the eighth over, Sri Lanka was 31-3. The hosts' chances were already dwindling. When Asalanka left for 23, the hosts' plight seemed pretty shot.
Previously, Zimbabwe chose to bat and started well with Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Regis Chakabva, who quickly forged a solid partnership spanning half a century. The spin's introduction immediately bore fruit as Jeffrey Vandersay sent Kaitano first and Chakabva back a few overs later. Interestingly, the leg spinner had also thrown out both opening games in the first ODI.
Zimbabwe livened up the innings with Sean Williams coming fresh from the hundreds in the last game and Craig Ervine milking the bowlers. The scoreboard kept ticking steadily while the crowd kept up a healthy pace. A desperate check against Ervine in the 27th over the referee's call - which was not out - and the partnership continued to blossom.
The centenary came shortly after and Zimbabwe looked like Vandersay would strike again. The spinner forced Williams out of his crease with a sharp spin and Kusal Mendis whipped off the bails to inflict a stumping.
Chamika Karunaratne then struck with the wicket of Wesley Madhevere two overs later to cause trouble for the visitors. However, Sikander Raza ensured that the High Order's efforts were not wasted. Even when Ervine was sacked in the 1990s, the all-rounder kept Sri Lanka in check with his punches. Raza hit four fours and a six in a 46-ball 56 that propelled Zimbabwe past 300 runs.