Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 4th ODI Review: Visitors stun Lankans again

The suspense and unpredictability in the ongoing Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe continued to entertain everyone as the series is now tied at 2-all after the end of the four matches of the series. After upsetting the Lankans in the first match, the home side found their touch by winning the two following matches in the second and the third one-dayer. The optimists hoped that their loss in the first game was just a one-off game for Zimbabwe and expected the Lankans to seal the series.

However, the men in red shocked the Sri Lankans yet again and with some assistance from the weather gods, Zimbabwe won the match by 4 wickets by DLS method. Looking at the iffy weather forecasts at Hambantota, many questioned Angelo Matthews decision to opt to bat first after winning the toss. Niroshan Dickwella and Dhanushka Gunathilaka resumed from where they left in the last one-dayer as they stitched another monumental partnership of 209 runs in 35.3 overs.

Niroshan Dickwella, after getting his maiden ODI century in the 3rd One-Dayer, followed it up with yet another century as he hit 116 at almost a run a ball, smashing eight boundaries in his innings. Meanwhile, Gunathilaka at the other end added 87 to the score at a decent strike rate of 86, with seven boundaries in his innings. Angelo Matthews, in order to score, promoted himself up the order.

Matthews’ quickfire 42 off just 40 balls, at a strike rate of 105, comprised of two maximums. After important contribution from Tharanga(22) and Hasaranga(19), Sri Lanka managed to a score 300 in their 50 overs by losing six wickets. For Zimbabwe, Malcolm Waller was the pick of the bowlers as he gave away only 44 runs and managed to pick up a couple of wickets. Mpofu too picked up a couple of crucial wickets in the innings.

The visitors started on a perfect note as their two openers, who were in great touch already in the series, notching up a century in distinct games, gave a flying start to their side. Zim, in no time, put on 67 runs for the first wicket. Mire stole the show with his 43 run cameo off just 30 balls, at a strike rate of 143.3, smashing five boundaries and a couple of sixes. His innings gave the necessary impetus to Zimbabwe’s innings.

After the fall of Mazakadza, Musakanda too played his part for his 30 in no time. Just when the Sri Lankans were starting to increase their stranglehold in the game, the rain stopped play in the 21st over with the visitors at 139-3. The rain took almost two hours of the game and as a result, when the men in red came out to bat again, they had to chase down the revised target by DLS method. Therefore, to level the series, Zimbabwe had to score 80 off just 60.

Craig Ervine brought in all his experience into play, as he starred in the chase with his knock of 69 off just 55 runs, at a strike rate of 125, smashing eight boundaries and a six. After important contributions lower down the order from Cremer and Raza, the visitors won by 4 wickets (with 10 balls remaining) (D/L method). Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers as far as Sri Lanka was concerned as he stood out with the figures of 3/40 in his six overs.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 300/6 (50 overs):  Dickwella 116(118), Gunathilaka 87(101), Waller 2/44
Zimbabwe 219/6 (29.2/31 overs, target 219):  Cremer 69(55), Mire 43(30), Hasaranga 3/40