Cricket

Cricket Commentary

ZIM VS SL

Match 2, 20-Nov-2025

162/8 20.0 oversRun Rate: 8.1
VS
95/10 20.0 overs Run Rate: 4.75
Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 67 runs
Zimbabwe First Innings
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Graeme Cremer(3 | 4)*
Tinotenda Maposa(5 | 4)
D Chameera|4|0|27|1
119.619.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Graeme Cremer, Very full, outside off, Graeme looks to squeeze it through the off side but gets it off the inner half of the bat towards square leg in the deep. Neither batter is interested in the second and ZIMBABWE END THEIR INNINGS ON 162/8.
6 Over | Run: 162/8 | Run Rate: 8.10
119.519.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Tinotenda Maposa, Low full toss, tailing in, Tinotenda Maposa swings hard, but the ball goes off the inside edge towards fine leg. Single taken.
119.419.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Graeme Cremer, Another yorker, worked towards the bowler who parries it to mid off. Just a single again.
119.319.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Tinotenda Maposa, Excellent yorker, around off, dug out towards long on. Just one again.
219.219.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Tinotenda Maposa, Full toss, outside off, driven through mid on for a couple.
119.119.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Graeme Cremer, Fuller, outside off, Cremer backs away to slash but gets an inside edge past the stumps. Well stopped by the keeper, with a dive to his left. Just a single.
018.618.6: Eshan Malinga to Graeme Cremer, Sri Lanka lose a review. A pretty full ball, around middle and leg, tailing back in, Graeme Cremer looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. Malinga appealed for LBW but the umpire shook his head. The keeper was confident as well and hence, Shanaka took the review. But Ball Tracking projected it to be missing leg stump. Leg bye signalled as the batters had also taken a run in the meanwhile. 4-0-27-2 for Malinga then.
6 Over | Run: 155/8 | Run Rate: 8.16
018.518.5: Eshan Malinga to Tashinga Musekiwa, OUT! BOWLED! Perfect riposte from the fast bowler after being smashed on the previous ball. Full and straight, Musekiwa swings hard but is beaten by pace. The ball skids through, goes beneath the bat and makes a mess of the stumps. Musekiwa departs for 11 (7) and from 101/2, Zimbabwe are now 154/8. 7 balls left.
618.418.4: Eshan Malinga to Tashinga Musekiwa, SIX! POUNDED! A short ball, around off, Tashinga Musekiwa rocks back and pulls it massively over mid-wicket.
018.318.3: Eshan Malinga to Tashinga Musekiwa, Slower ball, outside off, a swing and a miss.
118.218.2: Eshan Malinga to Tinotenda Maposa, Full, around off, driven through cover for a single.
118.118.1: Eshan Malinga to Brad Evans, OUT! BRAD EVANS IS RUN OUT! Just not happening for Zimbabwe. There was always a couple available on this ball but still, they have got one short. On a length, outside off, Evans pushed it through point and set off running. He wanted two but had to go around the bowler, while completing his first run. For some reason, he paused at the non-striker's end. Musekiwa always wanted the second and now, Evans started to run again. But that pause cost him as Wanindu Hasaranga charged onto the ball from sweeper and returned a good throw to the keeper, who whipped the bails off. The run out appeal was referred upstairs and the replay showed that Evans was well short. He has to depart for 4 (5) and from 101/2, Zimbabwe are now 147/7! 11 balls left.
017.617.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Brad Evans, Another slower ball, outside off, on a length. Once again, Evans is foxed by the change in pace and plays the pull early. The ball comes late and goes off his body again, this time to point. A single taken, leg bye signalled.
6 Over | Run: 146/6 | Run Rate: 8.11
017.517.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Brad Evans, A good slower ball, on a length, outside off. Brad Evans gets across and looks to help it through fine leg but is beaten for pace. The ball comes on slowly and hits his body, rolling behind to the keeper.
217.417.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Brad Evans, A short ball, worked through square leg for a couple.
117.317.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Tashinga Musekiwa, A full toss, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
117.217.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Brad Evans, Full, outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
017.117.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Sikandar Raza, OUT! CAUGHT! Captain gets captain and that is an absolute stunner. Full and wide outside off, Sikandar Raza gets low under the ball and looks to go inside out. He does connect well but is not quite able to find the gap. That is because, his opposite number, is like an antelope running for its life. Dasun Shanaka charges across to his left from long off and dives full stretch, to take the catch with both hands. It is as clean as a whistle and the Lankans are bossing the game now. Second batter to miss his half century as Raza departs for 47 (32). Conceringly, for Zimbabwe, from 101/2. they have slid down to 141/6. 17 balls left.
216.616.6: Nuwan Thushara to Tashinga Musekiwa, That is excellent running! This shows the hunger of the skipper of the Chevrons! Low full toss, just outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa punches it to long off. Sikandar Raza sprints hard for the first run and gets back at the non-striker's end by putting a dive as he has to be on strike for the next over. 
6 Over | Run: 141/5 | Run Rate: 8.29
116.516.5: Nuwan Thushara to Sikandar Raza, Change of pace from Thushara, wide outside off. Sikandar Raza covers the stumps and punches it to deep cover for a single.  
616.416.4: Nuwan Thushara to Sikandar Raza, SIX! Even better! This time, Thushara does land the ball but Raza makes the ball land beyond the boundary. Attempted slower ball, fuller in length, around middle, the skipper picks the change in pace and gets down on a knee. Picks the bones out of that and slogs it massively over deep mid-wicket!
416.316.3: Nuwan Thushara to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! PLUNDERED! That is some bottom hand. A full toss, on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza just uses his bottom hand and whips it through mid-wicket. Actually it is more of a short-arm jab. Splits mid-wicket and long on in the deep to perfection. Raza moves to 40 (29) with his third four.
216.216.2: Nuwan Thushara to Sikandar Raza, Excellent work in the deep! Short of a length, outside off. Sikandar Raza spanks it over the cover region. The ball bounces off toward the fence, but Nissanka sprints from the deep point region and slides away to save the boundary. The batters have taken a brace.
116.116.1: Nuwan Thushara to Tashinga Musekiwa, Short of a length, on off. Tashinga Musekiwa gets on his toes and dabs it wide of the cover fielder for a single.
115.615.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Tashinga Musekiwa, Googly, on middle. Tashinga Musekiwa does well to read it as he flicks it to square leg for a single. 
6 Over | Run: 125/5 | Run Rate: 7.81
015.515.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Tony Munyonga, OUT! LBW! Two in two for Hasaranga and he is on a hattrick. Another googly from Hasaranga and Munyonga simply does not pick it. The length is short and he looks to play it from the pitch, going back to work it to the leg side. But the ball pitches, skids through, stays low and angles down, hitting him on the pads, right in front of the sticks. Hasaranga appeals and the umpire raises his finger straightaway. It looks a dead duck to the naked eye but Munyonga wants a second look. The review is taken and actually, Ball Tracking shows the ball to be sliding down and just clip the outer half of leg stump. Not a bad review, to be honest, but umpire's call it is, on wickets hitting and Munyonga has to go for a golden duck. The game has turned upside down. From 101/2, Zimbabwe are now 124/5! 25 balls left.
015.415.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ryan Burl, OUT! BOWLED! Oh dear... he has dragged one back on. Burl is devastated. Not just because of the dismissal but because he has made an ordinary ball into a wicket-taking one. A wrong 'un, outside off, pretty full, Brul looks to sweep it through the on side but he is so far from the ball that it takes the underedge and hits the stumps. Burl just stands there in disgust, before trudging off. He departs for 18 (11) and from 101/2, Zimbabwe are now 124/4. 26 balls left in the innings.
115.315.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Sikandar Raza, Flat and much fuller, on middle. Sikandar Raza skips down the track and pushes it to long on for a single. 
115.215.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ryan Burl, Short, angling away from the left-hander. Ryan Burl pushes it to cover and gets a single. 
615.115.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ryan Burl, SIX! POWERFUL! Floated, around off, from around the wicket, Ryan Burl gets down on a knee and slog-sweeps it way over mid-wicket. The ball does clear the ropes easily but a ball boy does well to take the catch cleanly. Future of Pakistan, maybe. Especially in fielding.
014.614.6: Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, Short again, on off. Sikandar Raza connects his punch this time, but straight toward the cover fielder. Only 3 runs coming off from the over!
6 Over | Run: 116/3 | Run Rate: 7.73
014.514.5: Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, Short and around off. Sikandar Raza looks to lash it through the cover region but gets beaten on the outside edge. 
014.414.4: Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, Flat and fuller, on wide outside off. Sikandar Raza punches it to point. 
114.314.3: Maheesh Theekshana to Ryan Burl, Fuller, on leg. Ryan Burl clips it to deep backward sqaure leg for a single. 
214.214.2: Maheesh Theekshana to Ryan Burl, Short, on off. Ryan Burl whips it to deep mid-wicket and gets a couple of runs. 
014.114.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Ryan Burl, Fuller to start the over, around the sixth stump and spins it away from the left-hander. Burl gets on his front foot to drive hard through cover but gets the outer edge and the ball bounces off toward backward point. 
213.613.6: Eshan Malinga to Sikandar Raza, On a hard length, on off, angling it in. Sikandar Raza pulls it to the vacant mid-wicket region and gets a couple of runs. 
6 Over | Run: 113/3 | Run Rate: 8.07
113.513.5: Eshan Malinga to Ryan Burl, Malinga pitches it up, on off. Ryan Burl drives it to mid off and gets the single. 
013.413.4: Eshan Malinga to Ryan Burl, Slower bouncer now, on middle and leg. Ryan Burl mistimes his pull and the ball drops dead on the track. 
613.313.3: Eshan Malinga to Ryan Burl, SIX! MURDERED! A bit too straight, around middle and leg, on a length, Ryan Burl pounces onto the length in a flash and whips it way over backward square leg.
013.213.2: Eshan Malinga to Ryan Burl, Eshan Malinga bangs the delivery on the deck and offer a bouncer on off. Ryan Burl arches backward to make a leave. 
113.113.1: Eshan Malinga to Sikandar Raza, Exellent running between the wickets! Yorker from Malinga, around the boots of the batter. Sikandar Raza jams it down. The ball wraps around his legs and rolls just toward the off side. He loses sight of the ball, but Burl calls for the single and they get it. 
112.612.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Sikandar Raza, Fuller, on off. Sikandar Raza pushes it to wide of cover and gets another single to retain the strike for the next over. 
6 Over | Run: 103/3 | Run Rate: 7.92
112.512.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ryan Burl, Hasaranga drags his length back yet again, outside off. Ryan Burl goes on his back foot and punches it across the line wide of mid-wicket for a single.
012.412.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, OUT! CAUGHT! What is with Pindi and Bennett? For the second time in two games, he has been dismissed for 49! Very full, down the leg side, Bennett gets down and looks to sweep but only manages to get a top edge. Short fine leg, which is manned by Kusal Perera, jogs across to his left and takes a sitter. The 61-run stand has been broken and ZIMBABWE ARE 101/3 AFTER 12.4 OVERS!
012.312.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, Short again, on off. Brian Bennett hangs back and punches it to cover. 
612.212.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, SIX! 50TH SIX FOR BENNETT IN T20IS! A drag down, around off, the googly, Brian Bennett rocks back and pulls it way over mid-wicket. 100 UP FOR ZIMBABWE.
112.112.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Sikandar Raza, Short, just outside off. Sikandar Raza punches hard at it, to beat the left of the diving cover fielder. But the sweeper cover moves to his right and provides the backup. Single taken. 
111.611.6: Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, Short again, pulled to deep mid-wicket for just a run. 10 from the over, 33 in the last 3!
6 Over | Run: 94/2 | Run Rate: 7.83
411.511.5: Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, TOP EDGE, FOUR! Quicker ball, around middle, Sikandar Raza gets down on a knee and plays the paddle but is beaten by pace. The ball skids through, bounces extra and takes the top edge. Short fine leg seems to be in play but luckily for Raza, it lobs over the fielder and races to the fine leg fence. 50-RUN STAND UP, IN 38 BALLS!
211.411.4: Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, Dropped short, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple. Good stop by long on running to his right.
111.311.3: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, Full and wide outside off, hammered towards long off for a single.
011.211.2: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, DROPPED! Full, around off, Bennett hammers this straight back. Theekshana reacts and tries to take it to his right, which is against his followthrough. The ball hits his hands hard but they are unable to cusp it. The ball deflects away to his right and drops down. 
211.111.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, The arm ball, worked through mid-wicket for a couple.
110.710.6: Dasun Shanaka to Brian Bennett, Another long hop, pulled to deep mid-wicket for another single. 13 from Shanaka's opener.
7 Over | Run: 84/2 | Run Rate: 7.64
110.610.5: Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, On a length, outside off, punched through cover-point for one.
110.510.4: Dasun Shanaka to Brian Bennett, Outside off, pushed through the covers for one.
110.410.3: Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, This one stays low, skidding through, Raza shovels it through mid-wicket for a run.
610.310.2: Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, SIX! HUMONGOUS! On a length, around middle and leg, Raza just plays a short-arm jab and whips this way over mid-wicket, for the first biggie of the game!
110.210.2: Dasun Shanaka to Brian Bennett, Shorter this time, around middle and off, Brian Bennett pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Hang on. The siren goes off and that means, Shanaka has overstepped! NO BALL signalled and the next delivery will be a FREE HIT!
110.110.1: Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, Pace off straightaway. On a length, outside off, Sikandar Raza looks to hit this over long off but the ball hits the toe end of his bat. Hence, the ball lands well short of long off. Single taken.
09.69.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Brian Bennett, And again. Back of a length, outside off, Bennett throws his bat at it, to miss again.
6 Over | Run: 71/2 | Run Rate: 7.10
09.59.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Brian Bennett, On a length, outside off, Brian Bennett flays but misses.
09.49.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Sikandar Raza, Ouch. That must have hit a crack. The off cutter, around off, Sikandar looks to work it through the leg side but the ball lands and then suddenly jags back sharply, staying low as well. Catches the skipper around his groin area and deflects to the off side. A leg bye taken.
49.39.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Up and over! Short and wide outside off, Raza looks to cut and just about gets it over a leaping point fielder, for the second boundary in this over.
19.29.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Brian Bennett, Full and wide outside off, flayed through the covers for a single.
49.19.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Brian Bennett, EDGED, FOUR! A welcome boundary for Zimbabwe. First after 15 balls. Fortuituous, but they will take it. A touch short, outside off, Brian Bennett looks to cut but is beaten by pace. The ball goes off the cue end of the bat, but lands short and wide of the diving keeper, to his right and escapes to the deep third fence.
08.68.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Sikandar Raza, A wrong 'un to finish, sliding down, Raza cannot get his flick away, getting hit on the pads.
6 Over | Run: 61/2 | Run Rate: 6.78
18.58.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, Full and straight, Brian gets down and across and sweeps it through fine leg for one.
28.48.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, Around off, short again, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.
08.38.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, A touch short, around off, cut towards point.
18.28.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Sikandar Raza, Outside off, pushed towards long off for a run.
18.18.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, A googly, outside off, Brian Bennett has a big windup and plays a massive heave-ho. The ball spins in, takes the inside edge and scoots past the leg stump. Single taken to fine leg.
17.67.6: Eshan Malinga to Brian Bennett, Backs away to the leg side, does Bennett and Malinga fires a yorker length ball outside off. Brian reaches out and carves it through cover-point for one.
6 Over | Run: 56/2 | Run Rate: 7.00
07.57.5: Eshan Malinga to Brian Bennett, Very full, outside off, driven towards cover.
17.47.4: Eshan Malinga to Sikandar Raza, Similar ball, similar shot, this time it earns just a single.
27.37.3: Eshan Malinga to Sikandar Raza, On middle and leg, nudged through mid-wicket for a couple.
07.27.2: Eshan Malinga to Sikandar Raza, A good bumper, around off, Raza lets it go. He looks at the square leg umpire for a wide call but does not get it.
07.17.1: Eshan Malinga to Sikandar Raza, Full, outside off, Sikandar Raza drives it towards mid off.
06.66.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, Another wrong 'un, outside off, dabbed towards short third.
6 Over | Run: 52/2 | Run Rate: 7.43
16.56.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Sikandar Raza, Another googly, punched towards long on for one.
16.46.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, Outside off, driven towards long off for a run.
46.36.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, FOUR! IMPERIOUS! Full, outside off, Brian Bennett gets under the ball and smashes it straight back over the bowler. Long off tries to get across to his right, but the ball wins the race. 50 UP FOR ZIMBABWE!
26.26.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Brian Bennett, The googly, outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. Good work in the deep by Maheesh Theekshana.
16.16.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Sikandar Raza, Oh Gosh! What was that? A half tracker from Hasaranga and accordingly, Raza stays back to work it to the leg side. But to his horror, the ball turns out to be a grubber. It shoots low, near ankle height and Sikandar somehow, manages to get bat on ball to work it through square leg for a single. Well played, sir. Smiles all around.
15.65.6: Eshan Malinga to Sikandar Raza, Nearly dragged on! Slower ball to finish, outside off, on a length, Raza looks to punch it through the off side but gets a thick inside edge which just escapes the leg stump! A single taken towards fine leg. ZIMBABWE END THEIR POWERPLAY ON 43/2!
6 Over | Run: 43/2 | Run Rate: 7.17
15.55.5: Eshan Malinga to Brian Bennett, Full, fast, around middle, Bennett looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Takes a quick single.
15.45.4: Eshan Malinga to Sikandar Raza, On middle and leg, heaved behind square leg for a run.
05.35.3: Eshan Malinga to Brendan Taylor, OUT! BOWLED! Malinga takes three balls to strike. Full and straight, Brendan Taylor looks to work it through the leg side but gets beaten by pace. The ball rushes through, clips his right pad and deflects onto the middle stump. Taylor departs for 11 (9) and Zimbabwe are 40/2 after 5.3 overs!
25.25.2: Eshan Malinga to Brendan Taylor, Fuller this time, outside off, Taylor leans and carresses it behind point for a couple.
05.15.1: Eshan Malinga to Brendan Taylor, On a length, outside off, Brendan Taylor punches it towards point.
04.64.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Brian Bennett, Short of a length, wide outside off. Brian Bennett shuffles across the stumps and looks to scoop it over fine leg but misses. 
6 Over | Run: 38/1 | Run Rate: 7.60
04.54.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Brian Bennett, Back of a length, on off. Brian Bennett dabs it to cover. 
14.44.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Brendan Taylor, In the air... just short of the fielder! Dushmantha Chameera bends his back to offer a bouncer, just outside off. Brendan Taylor opens the face of his willow to guide the delivery uppishly. But the ball doesn't have enough pace that it will go all the way over the fence. However, there is a fielder at deep third, who charges toward the skier, but luckily for Taylor, the ball drops short of the fielder. Single taken.
44.34.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Brendan Taylor, FOUR! Fine shot. Short and wide again, outside off and this time Brendan Taylor does not miss out. Slaps it over point and gets his first boundary.
24.24.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Brendan Taylor, Short, wide outside off, Taylor arches back and slaps it to the left of point. Does not have enough on it, so deep third will cut it off. Two runs taken.
04.14.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Brendan Taylor, On a length, outside off, the cutter being employed straightaway, Brendan Taylor looks to punch, but mistimes it towards cover-point.
13.63.6: Maheesh Theekshana to Brendan Taylor, Full, around off. Brendan Taylor dabs it to the left of the cover fielder for a single. So a wicket and 5 runs from the over! 
6 Over | Run: 31/1 | Run Rate: 7.75
13.53.5: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, Short, just outside off. Brian Bennett hangs back and punches it wide of the cover fielder, who puts a dive and makes the stop. But the batters were quick to cross the ends. 
23.43.4: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, Short, on middle, angling it in. Brian Bennett nudges it into the vast gap between deep mid-wicket and long on to take a couple of runs. 
03.33.3: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, Outside off, punched towards cover.
13.23.2: Maheesh Theekshana to Brendan Taylor, Full, around off, pushed through mid on for a single to get off the mark.
03.13.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Tadiwanashe Marumani, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Theekshana gets the first breakthrough. It is the carrom ball, from around the wicket, around off. Marumani looks to flick but is a tad early. Maybe, the ball held on the pitch a touch. As a result, a leading edge is induced and the ball goes straight back to the bowler, who makes no mistake. Marumani departs for 10 (6) and Zimbabwe are 26/1 after 3.1 overs!
02.62.6: Nuwan Thushara to Brian Bennett, Perfect yorker now, on middle. Brian Bennett cramps for room, but does well to jam it down the track. 
6 Over | Run: 26/0 | Run Rate: 8.67
12.52.5: Nuwan Thushara to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Pitches it much fuller, does Thushara, on middle and swings it into the pads of the left-hander. Tadiwanashe Marumani flicks it swiftly toward the right of the square leg fielder and gets the single.
12.42.4: Nuwan Thushara to Brian Bennett, Good-length delivery, pitching it on off and swinging it away from the right-hander. Brian Bennett slices it to deep backward point for a single. 
12.32.3: Nuwan Thushara to Tadiwanashe Marumani, On a length, around off, change in pace, Tadiwanashe looks to drive it through the off side but is a touch early. The ball comes on late and goes off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. Single taken.
42.22.2: Nuwan Thushara to Tadiwanashe Marumani, TOP EDGE, FOUR! Fortuitous but Zimbabwe will take it. 5th boundary in the last 7 deliveries. A quick short ball, around leg stump, Marumani looks to help it around the corner but is beaten for pace. He is halfway through his shot before the ball skids through and cramps him for room, taking the top edge. Luckily for him, it goes over the keeper, down to the fine leg fence.
42.12.1: Nuwan Thushara to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! HAMMERED! What a way to get off the mark. Full, around off, Tadiwanashe Marumani hammers it straight back to the bowler. Why didn't he catch it then? Because life is more precious than a wicket. Thushara realizes that it is better to preserve one's head than trying to catch a missile and ducks for cover. The ball flies over his head and rockets to the long on fence.
41.61.6: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, FOUR! SHOT! 12 runs from the over after a good first over. Much fuller this time, from Maheesh Theekshana, just outside off. Brian Bennett plants his front foot toward the delivery and drills it through cover for four more runs. That's three boundaries in this over. 
6 Over | Run: 15/0 | Run Rate: 7.50
01.51.5: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, Right into the blockhole, on leg. Brian Bennett does well to jam it to the left of the bowler. 
01.41.4: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, Fuller, just outside off. Brian Bennett stabs it to cover. 
41.31.3: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, FOUR MORE! Good cricket by Bennett. He expects the bowler to keep the length short after the previous ball and hence, is camped and ready in his crease. Gets the short ball and punches it between cover and mid off for consecutive boundaries.
41.21.2: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, FOUR! FETCH THAT! This one is gone too. The ball, that is. Pushed through quicker, outside off, but way too full. Bennett leans and crashes it over cover for the first boundary of the game.
01.11.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, Full, outside off, drifting in, Brian Bennett comes forward and drives, but finds cover.
00.60.6: Nuwan Thushara to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Thushara pitches it up, on off. Tadiwanashe Marumani lunges halfway and punches it to mid off for no runs. Three runs off the over. A good start from Sri Lanka! 
6 Over | Run: 3/0 | Run Rate: 3.00
30.50.5: Nuwan Thushara to Brian Bennett, First runs off the bat and Brian Bennett is underway! Much fuller from Thushara, on off. Brian Bennett, with no such footwork, punches it past the cover fielder, but he does well to sprint back and slides to keep the ball in play. Three runs taken.
00.40.4: Nuwan Thushara to Brian Bennett, Fourth dot delivery off the over! Fuller, on off and middle. Brian Bennett hangs back and pushes it back to the bowler. 
00.30.3: Nuwan Thushara to Brian Bennett, Hat-trick! Of plays and misses, that is. Full marks to Thushara for keeping on bowling in that channel. Brian tries to push again, but misses once more.
00.20.2: Nuwan Thushara to Brian Bennett, And again. Similar line and length, only this time, there was a bit of late away movement. Bennett chooses to stay on the back foot and try to guide it behind on the off side but misses again.
00.10.1: Nuwan Thushara to Brian Bennett, Full and outside off, hint of outswing, Brian Bennett looks to drive it through the off side but is beaten by pace and is late on the shot. Misses.
Sri Lanka Second Innings
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Maheesh Theekshana(8 | 16)*
Nuwan Thushara(1 | 9)
B Evans|4|0|9|3
019.619.6: Brad Evans to Maheesh Theekshana, OUT! BOWLED! So Zimbabwe do bowl Sri Lanka out. Theekshana backs away to the leg side and Evans fires it full and straight. The batter misses while the ball does not. Off stump out of the ground. SRI LANKA ALL OUT FOR 95, ZIMBABWE WIN BY 67 RUNS!
6 Over | Run: 95/10 | Run Rate: 4.75
019.519.5: Brad Evans to Maheesh Theekshana, A length ball, outside off, smeared over cover. No run taken again.
019.419.4: Brad Evans to Maheesh Theekshana, A short ball again, down the leg side, Maheesh Theekshana pulls it towards fine leg and does not take the single.
119.319.3: Brad Evans to Nuwan Thushara, That was nearly the final ball of the game. A short ball, outside off, Nuwan looks to heave it down the ground but miscues it towards mid off. It should have been a simple catch but Sikandar Raza charging in, gets the floodlights in his eyesight and backs off, with the ball landing in front of him. Single taken.
019.219.2: Brad Evans to Nuwan Thushara, A good short ball, around middle, Thushara takes his eyes off the ball and his bat hangs in the air like a periscope. The ball bounces, thuds the bat hard and lobs in the air, but does not carry to backward point.
019.119.1: Brad Evans to Nuwan Thushara, On a length, outside off, Nuwan Thushara plays inside the line and misses.
018.618.6: Richard Ngarava to Maheesh Theekshana, A good short ball, outside off, Maheesh looks to pull but is beaten by pace. The ball goes off his body towards point.
6 Over | Run: 94/9 | Run Rate: 4.95
418.518.5: Richard Ngarava to Maheesh Theekshana, FOUR! PUMMELED! A boundary alright, but it has come after 4 dot balls. A short ball, outside off, Maheesh Theekshana swings with all his might and slaps it through the covers for a boundary.
018.418.4: Richard Ngarava to Maheesh Theekshana, A good short ball, from around the wicket, outside off, Theekshana sways away.
018.318.3: Richard Ngarava to Maheesh Theekshana, Full, outside off, driven towards long off. No run taken.
018.218.2: Richard Ngarava to Maheesh Theekshana, A short ball, outside off, swayed away from.
018.118.1: Richard Ngarava to Maheesh Theekshana, Yes yes, no no, all okay in the end. Pitched up, outside off, Maheesh Theekshana drives it to the left of long off and by habit, sets off for the single. Halfway through, he realizes that there is only one wicket left and changes track. Both batters are halfway and there is a possible run out chance at either end, but both batters get back home safely.
017.617.6: Graeme Cremer to Nuwan Thushara, A wrong 'un to finish, Thushara blocks it out.
6 Over | Run: 90/9 | Run Rate: 5.00
017.517.5: Graeme Cremer to Nuwan Thushara, Full and straight, Nuwan Thushara offers a dead bat in defense.
017.417.4: Graeme Cremer to Nuwan Thushara, Beaten all ends up. Tossed up, around middle, NT looks to defend but the ball pitches and then whizzes away past the outside edge.
017.317.3: Graeme Cremer to Nuwan Thushara, Full, around off, Thushara lunges and pushes it back to the bowler, to his left.
017.217.2: Graeme Cremer to Nuwan Thushara, A googly, slower through the air, Nuwan Thushara lunges to defend but the ball misses the inner edge and hits him on the pads.
117.117.1: Graeme Cremer to Maheesh Theekshana, Short, outside off, Maheesh Theekshana rocks back and punches it through cover for a single.
016.616.6: Brad Evans to Nuwan Thushara, Fullish, just outside off. Nuwan Thushara pushes it to mid-wicket for no runs. 
6 Over | Run: 89/9 | Run Rate: 5.24
016.516.5: Brad Evans to Eshan Malinga, OUT! TAKEN! Brad Evans gets his second scalp! Slower back of a length, on middle and off. Eshan Malinga gets on his back foot to pull it across the line, but plays his shot early. The ball balloons toward the short square leg region, where Graeme Cremer walks under the skier and scoops the dolly safely into his hands. 
016.416.4: Brad Evans to Eshan Malinga, Evans drags his length back, outside off. Eshan Malinga cuts it to point. 
016.316.3: Brad Evans to Eshan Malinga, On a length, on off. Eshan Malinga rocks back, hops a bit and dabs it to point. 
116.216.2: Brad Evans to Maheesh Theekshana, Short, on middle and leg. Maheesh Theekshana flicks it to wide of long on for a single. 
016.116.1: Brad Evans to Maheesh Theekshana, FOUR LEG BYES! Evans pitches it up, much fuller, spraying it down the leg side. Maheesh Theekshana looks for a full-fledged flick, but misses the shot. The ball brushes the outer part of the pad and rolls toward the deep fine leg for a single. 
015.615.6: Graeme Cremer to Eshan Malinga, Fuller, on off. Eshan Malinga defends it to the off side.
6 Over | Run: 84/8 | Run Rate: 5.25
015.515.5: Graeme Cremer to Eshan Malinga, Fuller, outside off, spinning it away. Eshan Malinga strides out to block it to his front but gets beaten on the outside edge. 
115.415.4: Graeme Cremer to Maheesh Theekshana, Short, outside off. Maheesh Theekshana cuts it to deep point for a single. 
015.315.3: Graeme Cremer to Maheesh Theekshana, Short of a length, angling down the leg side. Maheesh Theekshana defends it to the leg side. 
115.215.2: Graeme Cremer to Eshan Malinga, Short, outside off. Eshan Malinga rocks back and nudges it to mid-wicket for a single. 
015.115.1: Graeme Cremer to Wanindu Hasaranga, OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust. Wickets are tumbling away and the vision to chase the target down is slowly fading away. Graeme Cremer delivers it fuller on middle, turns a bit away. Wanindu Hasaranga gets down on one knee and looks to sweep it across the spin, but fails to get the timing right. The ball loops toward the deep sqaure leg region and Brian Bennett does the rest of the formality. 
114.614.6: Richard Ngarava to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short, outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga pushes it to cover for one. 
6 Over | Run: 82/7 | Run Rate: 5.47
114.514.5: Richard Ngarava to Maheesh Theekshana, Back of a length, outside off. Maheesh Theekshana cuts it to deep point for a single. 
014.414.4: Richard Ngarava to Maheesh Theekshana, On a length, outside off. Maheesh Theekshana looks to punch it away but gets beaten on the outside edge. 
014.314.3: Richard Ngarava to Dushmantha Chameera, OUT! IN THE AIR... TAKEN! The change of lengths does the trick and Richard Ngarava gets his second wicket. After two short deliveries, he bowls on a good length this time, just outside off. Dushmantha Chameera plants his front foot toward the delivery and attempts to lash it over the cover region, but the ball gets a thick nick on the outside edge. The ball loops high and travels all the way to the deep third fielder. Tinotenda Maposa is the man who gets on his knees and reverse scoops the catch near his left shoulder. 
114.214.2: Richard Ngarava to Wanindu Hasaranga, Again a short of a length, outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga slaps it late to the right of deep third for a single. 
214.114.1: Richard Ngarava to Wanindu Hasaranga, Richard Ngarava starts off with a short delivery, wide outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga cuts it to deep backward point and gets a brace. 
113.613.6: Ryan Burl to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short, on middle. Wanindu Hasaranga punches it to long on for a single. 
6 Over | Run: 77/6 | Run Rate: 5.50
013.513.5: Ryan Burl to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short again, on leg. Wanindu Hasaranga looks to flick at it but plays his shot early and gets a soft leading edge. 
113.413.4: Ryan Burl to Dushmantha Chameera, Short, outside off. Dasun Shanaka dabs it to short third for a single. 
013.313.3: Ryan Burl to Dasun Shanaka, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! The change to bring Ryan Burl into the attack has worked out extremely well for the Chevrons. This one is short as well, pitching it outside off. Dasun Shanaka takes a step toward the leg side to make some room and looks to slap the delivery as he thinks the ball is angling in. But the delivery pretty much stays in it's line and just kisses the outside edge of the bat. The rest of the job is done by Brendan Taylor, as he gloves it in safely. 
613.213.2: Ryan Burl to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! THIS IS OUT OF THE PARK! Short of a length, on off and middle. Dasun Shanaka rocks back and connects his swing under the ball to sail it over the deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 
013.113.1: Ryan Burl to Dasun Shanaka, Short and angling in. Dasun Shanaka cramps for room and punches it back to the bowler. 
112.712.6: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Short, on leg. Dasun Shanaka makes room for himself and pushes it to cover for one. 
7 Over | Run: 69/5 | Run Rate: 5.31
112.612.5: Sikandar Raza to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fuller, on off. Wanindu Hasaranga drives it to long off for a single. 
112.512.4: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Fuller, on leg. Dasun Shanaka flicks it to sqaure leg for a single. 
112.412.3: Sikandar Raza to Wanindu Hasaranga, Raza pitches it up, down the leg side. Wanindu Hasaranga punches it to long on for a single. 
012.312.2: Sikandar Raza to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fullish, on off. Wanindu Hasaranga dabs it toward the left of the bowler. 
012.212.2: Sikandar Raza to Wanindu Hasaranga, WIDE! Flat and short, wide outside off, beyond the tramline. Wanindu Hasaranga tries to cut at it but misses. 
112.112.1: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Fuller, on middle. Dasun Shanaka flicks it to long on for a single. 
011.611.6: Graeme Cremer to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fullish, on off. Wanindu Hasaranga drives it gently to cover. 
6 Over | Run: 63/5 | Run Rate: 5.25
011.511.5: Graeme Cremer to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short, on off. Wanindu Hasaranga punches it to cover. 
011.411.4: Graeme Cremer to Wanindu Hasaranga, That beats everything! Cremer bowls it fuller, on middle and spins it inward. Wanindu Hasaranga gets on his front foot to block it down, but the ball beats the inside edge and the leg pole. The ball zips past the keeper and Taylor reacts to it too late. The ball rolls toward the deep fine leg and the batter has taken two byes. 
111.311.3: Graeme Cremer to Dasun Shanaka, Short, on off. Dasun Shanaka pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets a single. 
611.211.2: Graeme Cremer to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! Up, up and over! Much needed boundary for Sri Lanka.  Tosses it up, fuller, just outside off. Dasun Shanaka stays on the leg side of the delivery and uses his bottom hand to loft it over the sweeper cover fence for half a dozen. 
011.111.1: Graeme Cremer to Dasun Shanaka, Short, on off. Dasun Shanaka defend it to his front. 
110.610.6: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Much shorter, around off. Dasun Shanaka pushes it to long on for a single. 
6 Over | Run: 54/5 | Run Rate: 4.91
110.510.5: Sikandar Raza to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short, on middle. Wanindu Hasaranga nudges it to mid-wicket for a single. 
010.410.4: Sikandar Raza to Kamindu Mendis, OUT! BOWLED'EM! It's that man again. Sikandar Raza gets his name written on the wicket list and Sri Lanka are five men down. He bowls it a touch shorter, pitching it on off and spins it a bit away. Kusal Mendis takes a step toward the leg side and looks to punch the delivery through cover. But the ball sneaks past the outside edge and hits the top of off stump. 
210.310.3: Sikandar Raza to Kamindu Mendis, Raza pitches it up, on middle. Kamindu Mendis flicks it to the vacant mid-wicket region and gets a brace. 
110.210.2: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Fuller, on off. Dasun Shanaka pushes it to cover for a single. 
410.110.1: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, FOUR! THUMPED AWAY! Short of a length, around off. Dasun Shanaka gets on his backfoot and punches it hard to beat the left of the sweeper cover for a boundary. 
19.69.6: Graeme Cremer to Dasun Shanaka, Fuller, on leg. Dasun Shanaka flicks it to fine leg and gets the single. 
6 Over | Run: 45/4 | Run Rate: 4.50
49.59.5: Graeme Cremer to Dasun Shanaka, FOUR! SHOT! Short of a length, on off. Dasun Shanaka once again makes some room and lashes it towad left of the long off fielder for a boundary. 
09.49.4: Graeme Cremer to Dasun Shanaka, Swing and a miss! Cremer sees the batter making room toward the leg side. So he follows the batter and bowls it fuller. The ball pitches and skids low as well. Dasun Shanaka, after moving to his leg side, he clears his front leg to heave it away but misses on the inner edge. 
09.39.3: Graeme Cremer to Dasun Shanaka, Graeme Cremer drags his length back, on off. Dasun Shanaka opens the face of his bat and dabs it to cover. 
19.29.2: Graeme Cremer to Kamindu Mendis, Full-length delivery, on leg and spins it down the leg side. Kamindu Mendis gets to his front foot and tickles it toward the left of the short fine leg fielder for a single. 
19.19.1: Graeme Cremer to Dasun Shanaka, Short, angling down the leg side. Dasun Shanaka opens his stance and flicks it to wide of mid-wicket for a single. 
28.68.6: Sikandar Raza to Kamindu Mendis, Short of a length, on the sticks. Kamindu Mendis tucks it to mid-wicket for a brace. 
6 Over | Run: 38/4 | Run Rate: 4.22
18.58.5: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Raza pitches it up, on off. Dasun Shanaka drives it crisply toward the right of the cover and gets a single. 
18.48.4: Sikandar Raza to Kamindu Mendis, Short, on middle. Kamindu Mendis rocks back and nudges it to sqaure leg and gets a quick single. 
08.38.3: Sikandar Raza to Kamindu Mendis, Tossed up, on off. Kamindu Mendis blocks it to his front. 
18.28.2: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Fuller, on middle. Dasun Shanaka tucks it to sqaure leg for one. 
08.18.1: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Flat and fuller, on off. Dasun Shanaka drives it back to the bowler. 
07.67.6: Brad Evans to Kamindu Mendis, Full, on off. Kamindu Mendis drives it to back to the bowler. 
6 Over | Run: 33/4 | Run Rate: 4.13
17.57.5: Brad Evans to Dasun Shanaka, Hard length, on middle and leg. Dasun Shanaka tucks it to deep sqaure leg for a single. 
17.47.4: Brad Evans to Kamindu Mendis, Short, angling it in toward the batter. Kamindu Mendis skips down the track and flicks it to deep sqaure leg for one. 
27.37.3: Brad Evans to Kamindu Mendis, Full, on off. Kamindu Mendis pushes it to long on for a double. 
07.27.2: Brad Evans to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, OUT! CASTLED! It seems the run-out and the mix-up was still running in his mind. He tries to release the pressure, but Evans has bowled him out! Full-length delivery, pitching it just outside off and shaping it in. Bhanuka Rajapaksa charges down the ground and looks to slog it away but the ball finds the gap between the bat and pad, to rattle the middle stump. That is so satisfying to watch if you love pace bowling. Bhanuka Rajapaksa has to depart, scoring 11 runs off 19 deliveries. 
17.17.1: Brad Evans to Dasun Shanaka, Full, angling in on the stumps. Dasun Shanaka nudges it to square leg for a single. 
06.66.6: Sikandar Raza to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Short of a length, on middle and leg. Bhanuka Rajapaksa blocks it down. 
6 Over | Run: 28/3 | Run Rate: 4.00
16.56.5: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, On a length, outside off. Dasun Shanaka punches it to deep point for a single. 
06.46.4: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Fuller, on middle. Dasun Shanaka pushes it to mid on. Another mix-up between the batters, but Shanaka reacts well and gets back to the striker's end. Sri Lanka need to settle their nerves here. 
16.36.3: Sikandar Raza to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Short, on middle and leg. Bhanuka Rajapaksa nudges it to long on for a single. 
16.26.2: Sikandar Raza to Dasun Shanaka, Short, on middle. Dasun Shanaka pushes it to long on for one. 
06.16.1: Sikandar Raza to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, OUT! RUN OUT! Absolutely needless run-out from Sri Lanka! This one is short, on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa dabs it to the right of the cover fielder and asks for a single. Mendis at the non-striker's end waited and rejects the call, but it's too late as Bhanuka Rajapaksa committed the single and now at the center of the track. Tony Munyonga is the man who gets quickly to his right and throws it wide of the keeper, but Brendan Taylor does well to gather and rattles the stump. Mendis sees an opportunity to run as the throw is wide and Taylor has to dive to reach it out, but he does well to get back on his feet and thumps the stumps. 
05.75.6: Tinotenda Maposa to Kusal Mendis, Outside off, punched straight to point. SRI LANKA END THEIR POWERPLAY AT 25/2, THEIR LOWEST IN 2025!
7 Over | Run: 25/2 | Run Rate: 4.17
15.65.5: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, A short ball, outside off, punched through the off side for a run.
05.55.5: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
05.45.4: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Outside off, Rajapaksa looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper.
45.35.3: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, FOUR! A rare bad ball. And it brings up a rare boundary, one after 23 balls. Just the second one of the chase. Full and down the leg side, Rajapaksa tickles it to the left of short fine leg.
15.25.2: Tinotenda Maposa to Kusal Mendis, Around middle, nudged towards square leg for a single.
15.15.1: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Stunning save or lucky? Let's say it depends on how the viewer views a glass filled with water to the halfway mark. On a length, outside off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa slashes hard and gets it over point. Deep backward point races to his left and it seems like he has overrun it. But a the last moment, he dives to his left and stop the ball! Just a single.
04.64.6: Brad Evans to Kusal Mendis, Full and wide outside off, nice away shape, Mendis watches it go past.
6 Over | Run: 17/2 | Run Rate: 3.40
14.54.5: Brad Evans to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, On a length, outside of, Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to dab it to the off side but gets an outside edge towards deep third. A run taken.
14.44.4: Brad Evans to Kusal Mendis, Another short ball, pulled through square leg for one more.
04.34.3: Brad Evans to Kusal Mendis, Arund middle and off, tucked towards short mid-wicket.
04.24.2: Brad Evans to Kusal Mendis, A short ball, outside off, pushed towards cover.
04.14.1: Brad Evans to Kusal Mendis, A ripper straightaway! On a length, around off, Kusal Mendis looks to defend but the ball lands and then spins away like a leg break, to beat the outside edge!
03.83.6: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Around middle and leg, nudged to the leg side.
8 Over | Run: 15/2 | Run Rate: 3.75
03.73.5: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, IN THE AIR... SAFE! Both, batter and bowler. Huh? How many times do we see both sides escaping? A good short ball, around middle and leg, Rajapaksa looks to help it around the corner on the leg side but is defeated by the extra bounce. The ball takes the top edge and goes straight up in the air, towards the leg side. The keeper and the bowler rush for the catch but the ball lands right in between. Hang on, there is more. There is short fine leg as well, in the picture. Richard Ngarava charges for the catch as well and seeing both batters take the single, gets to the ball, picks it up and fires a throw. It is straight to the bowler who just about ducks in time! The ball is way off the stumps at the bowling end with Mendis rushing back after the single was denied by Rajapaska. Smiles all around!
03.63.5: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, WIDE. On a length, moving well away outside off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa slashes but misses.
03.53.4: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Now this one comes back in, from a length. BR defends it down the track and for reasons known best to him, sets off for a single. It is a loud call for a suicide but thankfully for Sri Lanka, he realizes where the ball is - just an inch away from the bowler. Maposa quickly gets to the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Rajapaksa might have been gone had that hit.
03.43.3: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, On a length, around off, exaggerated away movement, Bhanuka lets it go.
03.33.3: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, WIDE. Probably, this was because of the previous shot. Maposa perhaps expected Rajapaksa to go down the leg side again and bowled this outside leg. But Rajapaksa stayed where he was instead and it turned out to be a wide. He looked to flick as a last-minute thought but missed.
03.23.2: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Similar length, this is outside off to the left-hander. Bhanuka Rajapaksa moves leg side of the ball and attempts a lazy inside-out shot, wthout moving his feet and misses.
13.13.1: Tinotenda Maposa to Kusal Mendis, On a length, around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis works it through square leg for a single.
12.72.6: Richard Ngarava to Kusal Mendis, On a length, outside off, angling away, Mendis throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge. The ball races through the deep third region but Tadiwanashe Marumani does well to get across to his left and stop the ball near the ropes. Just a single.
7 Over | Run: 12/2 | Run Rate: 4.00
02.62.6: Richard Ngarava to Kusal Mendis, WIDE. Banged in short and this one goes well above the batter as he ducks. That would have been a wide even for a 7-footed batter.
02.52.5: Richard Ngarava to Kusal Mendis, Very well fielded! Zimbabwe are up and about in this run chase. On a length, down the leg side, Kusal Mendis tickles it fine but short fine leg dives to his right and makes a wonderful stop.
12.42.4: Richard Ngarava to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Full and around off, Bhanuka pushes it through cover and takes a quick single. Direct hit at the bowler's end might have had him.
12.32.3: Richard Ngarava to Kusal Mendis, Into the pitch, extra bounce, Kusal Mendis rides the bounce nicely, leaping and working it through square leg for a single.
12.22.2: Richard Ngarava to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Down the leg side, helped through square leg for a run.
02.12.1: Richard Ngarava to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Short and around off, Rajapaksa defends.
11.61.6: Tinotenda Maposa to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, On a length, around middle and leg, Bhanuka Rajapaksa works it through square leg to get off the mark with a single. 6 runs and a wicket to kickstart Maposa for the evening.
6 Over | Run: 7/2 | Run Rate: 3.50
01.51.5: Tinotenda Maposa to Kusal Perera, OUT! CAUGHT! Maposa eventually gets his man. He could have got Perera earlier in the over but has him now. On a length, around middle, pace off, Perera tries to pull it away but the bounce on the ball does him in as well. He plays early and the extra bounce induces a top edge. It goes only as far as short fine leg, where Richard Ngarava completes the formalities. Perera departs for 4 (5) and Sri Lanka are 6/2, needing another 157 from 109 balls!
01.41.4: Tinotenda Maposa to Kusal Perera, Full, around middle and off, driven straight to cover.
41.31.3: Tinotenda Maposa to Kusal Perera, EDGED, FOUR! There is a slip while there is a short third as well. Such is the luck of Perera, that the ball goes between them. On a length, around off, angling away, Kusal Perera pushes at it, coming half forward. The ball moves away and takes the outside edge. It flies behind but goes in the gap between first slip and short third, racing to the deep third fence.
01.21.2: Tinotenda Maposa to Kusal Perera, On a length, around off, angling away, Kusal Perera pushes but misses.
11.11.1: Tinotenda Maposa to Kusal Mendis, On a length, around off, worked through square leg for a single.
00.70.6: Richard Ngarava to Kusal Perera, On a length, outside off, Kusal Perera punches it towards cover. Excellent start by Ngarava, conceding just a wide and picking up a wicket!
7 Over | Run: 1/1 | Run Rate: 1.00
00.60.5: Richard Ngarava to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! CAUGHT! Is 17 a bad number? Definitely not for Ngarava, as this is the 17th time he has picked up a wicket in the first over of an inning in T20Is! Courtesy, Ramiz Raja on air. After banging a few balls into the surface, Ngarava smartly slips in a slower one. Nissanka is caught by surprise as he tries to work it to the leg side but fails to spot the change in pace. As a result, he cannot control his shot and ends up chipping it straight to short mid-wicket, where Graeme Cremer pouches the dolly. Nissanka walks back shaking his head after a 5-baller and SRI LANKA ARE 1/1 AFTER 0.5 OVERS!
00.50.4: Richard Ngarava to Pathum Nissanka, A very good bouncer, around middle and off, Pathum ducks under it easily.
00.40.3: Richard Ngarava to Pathum Nissanka, Similar ball, this one skids on a touch. Nissanka hops and works it towards mid-wicket once more.
00.30.2: Richard Ngarava to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, hitting the pitch hard, around off, coming in slightly, Pathum Nissanka watches it carefully and works it towards short mid-wicket.
00.20.1: Richard Ngarava to Pathum Nissanka, On a length, around middle and off, punched towards cover.
00.10.1: Richard Ngarava to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE. False start. A length ball, but miles down the leg side. Left alone and good work by the keeper to stop it with a dive to his left.
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