Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 1st ODI Review: Solomon Mire, Raza stun Islanders in record chase

In 8 games, Zimbabwe had never beaten Sri Lanka in an ODI away from home. The lowest margin of their defeat was a 4-wicket loss in 1998. Clearly, the odds were heavily stacked against the African nation. Zimbabwe, however, fought hard and stunned the hosts in a record chase, winning the game comprehensively by 6 wickets with 14 balls to spare at the Galle International Stadium.

Nerveless chase

Zimbabwe batted with a lot of poise and were seemingly nerveless in a grand chase of 317. A 300 plus total has never been chased in Sri Lanka in an ODI but that did not fluster the Zimbabwe side to achieve an improbable win. It was Solomon Mire’s maiden ODI hundred through which the foundation of the win was laid. The 27-year old batted freely despite the early losses of Hamilton Masakadza (5) and Craig Ervine (18). Reeling at 46 for 2 in the 11th over, Sean Williams and Mire steadied the ship. While Mire attacked the spinners, Williams took his time initially before he started playing his shots. The duo added 163 runs for the third wicket which got their team back in the hunt.

Both offered their chances which the Sri Lankans failed to hold on to. Mire completed his century off 85 balls when he drilled Gunaratne straight down the ground in the 31st over. His sensational innings was over when he offered a simple catch to Gunaratne on his own bowling. Zimbabwe were further pegged back when Gunaratne struck again two overs later to remove Williams for a swift 65. The bulk of the scoring was already done but Zimbabwe needed that final push to take them over the line. At that point, the visitors still needed 97 runs to win in 94 balls. The equation was pretty simple but Zimbabwe could have easily floundered the opportunity of beating Sri Lanka at home for the first time. Except that they didn’t.

Raza, Waller provide finishing touches

Malcolm Waller joined hands with Sikandar Raza to finish the game off in style. Raza got into his innings smoothly and struck his first boundary – a sweep of Dananjaya – in the 36th over. With 78 required from the last 12 overs, Raza struck three boundaries off Gunaratne to make his intentions very clear. The required run rate immediately came under 6 runs an over and Zimbabwe cantered to a comfortable win from there on. Raza remained unbeaten on 67 while Waller provided the late surge walking off for an unconquered 29-ball 40. Amila Alonso, the slow left-arm spinner leaked a lot of runs to return with 0/77 in 8.4 overs while Gunaratne returned with 2/45 off 7 overs.

Sri Lanka off to a perfect start

Angelo Mathews had made first use of the pitch after winning the toss. Upul Tharanga was back in the XI after serving his two-match suspension but was made to bat in the middle order due to the success of Gunathilaka and Dickwella at the top of the order. Dickwella, however, did not contribute much as he made the long walk back to the pavilion after making just 10. Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis sewed an 117-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Sri Lanka paced their innings exceptionally well courtesy Mendis’ breezy 80-ball 86. Gunathilaka perished after contributing 60 which brought the experienced Tharanga out to the centre at No. 4. Mendis was out to a soft dismissal when he was smartly caught and bowled by Graeme Cremer off a leading edge. If he had stayed, Zimbabwe would have chased much more than what they eventually did.

Sri Lanka paced their innings exceptionally well courtesy Mendis’ breezy 80-ball 86. Gunathilaka perished after contributing 60 which brought the experienced Tharanga out to the centre at No. 4. Mendis was out to a soft dismissal when he was smartly caught and bowled by Graeme Cremer off a leading edge. If he had stayed, Zimbabwe would have chased much more than what they eventually did.

Hosts couldn’t surge in the end overs

Sri Lanka had wickets in hand and were targeting anywhere close to 340, given the position they were in during the middle overs. Mathews attacked right from the word go while Tharanga rotated the strike smartly. Both of them added 74 runs in 62 balls after which the Sri Lanka skipper was cleaned up by Mire. Tharanga had to take centre stage after the skipper’s exit. Zimbabwe bowlers bowled brilliantly at the death and conceded just 51 runs in the last 8 overs. While Tharanga finished at 79* off 73, he might have liked to get a few more runs towards the end.

In hindsight, Sri Lanka should have taken more risk in the end overs. They had a lot of wickets in hand and ended up getting just 316 for 5 after being in a position from where they could have easily amassed 340 if not more. For the visitors, Tendai Chatara was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with 2/49. After chasing leather for the most part of the innings, the Zimbabweans bowlers bowled efficiently at the death which changed the complexion of the game.

Zimbabwe have taken a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series. Both teams will stay put in Galle, where they will face each other again for the 2nd ODI on Sunday.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka – 316 for 5 in 50 overs (Kusal Mendis 86, Upul Tharanga 79*; Tendai Chatara 2/49)

Zimbabwe – 322 for 4 in 474 overs (Solomon Mire 112, Sikandar Raza 67*; Asela Gunaratne 2/45)

Man of the Match – Solomon Mire