Twitter Reactions: Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka continue to impress as Sri Lanka pip Zimbabwe in opening ODI
It wasn’t a cakewalk for the home team as Zimbabwe looked determined to cross the line.
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Pretty much on expected lines, Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe in the opening ODI and earned a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. However, it wasn’t a cakewalk for the home team as Zimbabwe looked determined to cross the line. Sean Williams even slammed a century for the visiting team. However, fifties from Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, and Pathum Nissanka meant Sri Lanka chased down 297 with five wickets in hand.
Earlier in the game, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Openers Takudzwanashe Kaitan and Regis Chakabva went after the bowlers from the outset and gave Zimbabwe a flying start. The duo added 80 runs for the first wicket before the latter fell prey to Vandersay. While skipper Craig Erine could only manage nine, Chakabva found a potent partner in Sean Williams, and the duo steadied the ship for the visitors.
Sean Williams’ century took Zimbabwe to potent total
The pair added 50 runs for the third wicket Chakabva walked back for a well-made 72. While Williams continued to trouble Sri Lankan bowlers from one end, he kept losing partners from the other. However, this didn’t stop the southpaw from recording a stellar century. He scored 100 off 87 balls as Zimbabwe posted 296/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Chamika Karunaratne, with three wickets, was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers.
With a stiff target in front, Sri Lanka needed a steady start and they got it. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka made brilliant use of the powerplay overs and added 40 runs in no time. While number-three batter Kamindu Mendis got out for 17, Nissanka formed a potent partner in veteran Dinesh Chandimal. The duo added 66 runs for the third wicket, tightening Sri Lanka’s grip over the contest. Nissanka departed after an aggressive 71 and in came the young talent Charith Asalanka.
Chandimal joined forces with and the duo gave Zimbabwe bowlers a tough time. They added 129 runs for the fifth wicket, almost knocking the Craig Ervine-led side out of the contest. Skipper Dasun Shanaka came at a stroke of the game and did the formalities. This way the hosts crossed the line in 48.4 overs, clinching the contest by five wickets.
Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to Sri Lanka’s win:
A match winning partnership from Chandimal and Asalanka #SLvZIM
Photo by – https://t.co/7tW6xxRePJ pic.twitter.com/TWoNBS5M6o
— Shazad Anas (@ShazadAnas1) January 16, 2022
PIN Captain makes interesting chase#SLvZIM
— Ishara (@Ishara23032) January 16, 2022
Chatara should just quit bowling from now on. It's embarrassing really. #SLvZIM #ZIMvSL
— 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐧 (@CricStats36) January 16, 2022
Dinesh Chandimal 24 ODI Fifties.
Kusal Mendis 24 Int Ducks.Great Knock @chandi_17 🙌❤
Since 2021 Kusal Mendis has only 1 30+ Score in international Cricket That too 39(39) in a T20i. @OfficialSLC Expecting a Change in the Side From Next Game. #SLvZIM #Cricket
— RUTVIK (@mrcricfreak) January 16, 2022
Disappointed by our fast bowlers. No balls in the slot, no full balls, no yoker none, no pace over 140km. They all balled short balls and it became predictable but they didn’t even change. Jongwe has the variations at times and this keeps the batsman guessing #SLvZIM
— The_Married_Man 🇿🇼🏴 (@Uncle_Redz) January 16, 2022
Admire the innings Chandimal just played today!!He needed that… #SLvZIM #Cricket
— Shehab Khan (@ShehabSK1) January 16, 2022
A magnificent innings by @chandi_17
Controlled and a perfectly calculated innings. ✅#SLvZIM— PʀAᴅEᴇP (@ShanPradeep_) January 16, 2022
What Chandimal did today should be appreciated, complemented Asalanka fully in running, stole runs within circles and hitting few boundaries occasionally!
This is what expected from him, but should up his strike rate bit more in the middle overs and his start! (1) #SLvZIM
— Indoosan🦸♂️✨ (@Indooshan) January 16, 2022
Dinesh Chandimal was not in the original squad but when the opportunity came his way, he grabbed it with both hands. Well played Chandi, Pathum and Asalanka #SLvZIM
— champika fernando (@champikafernand) January 16, 2022
Maharoof Favourite Player Must Be Chandimal #SLvZIM
— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) January 16, 2022
#Zim bowlers have a problem of trying to slow down the run-rate instead of going for wickets, this leaves them vulnerable and prone to mistakes because of the pressure end result = extras. @ZimCricketv put pressure, attack, give us the beautiful game of cricket we deserve #SLvZIM
— Raynald Ngwarati M (@NgwaratiRaynald) January 16, 2022
Calm and Composed 50 by Charith Asalanka.#SLvZIM
— Haridh_Kll (@HaridhKll) January 16, 2022
So far, Chandimal fully used his experience to set up the chase.
Well done Chandi! 👏🏾#SLvZIM
— Sakun (@Sakun_SD) January 16, 2022
Most 50+ scores in the first 9 ODI innings for Sri Lanka 🇱🇰.
5 – Kusal Mendis
4 – CHARITH ASALANKA ***
4 – Roy Dias
3 – Dinesh Chandimal#SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/dd5XWwNKS0— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) January 16, 2022
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