Sri Lanka completed a 2-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe, thanks to a stunning century from Pathum Nissanka and a solid half-century from skipper Charith Asalanka.
In the second and final ODI in Harare, Sri Lanka chased down 277 with three balls to spare, sealing a five-wicket victory. Nissanka was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant 122 off 136 balls with 16 boundaries, while Asalanka supported with a crucial 71 off 71 balls.
Zimbabwe, batting first, posted 277/7 with fine contributions from Ben Curran (79 off 93) and Sikandar Raza (59 off 67). Despite their efforts, the day belonged to Nissanka, who scored his seventh ODI century and third in Zimbabwe.
During the chase, Sri Lanka lost early wickets, but Nissanka held firm. He reached his fifty off 54 balls and later built a match-winning 78-run stand with Sadeera Samarawickrama. Asalanka then joined the party, reaching his half-century off 43 deliveries to put Sri Lanka in control.
Nissanka fell trying to accelerate, but by then the game was in Sri Lanka’s grasp. Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis finished the job with ease.
The win handed Sri Lanka a 5-wicket victory and a 2-0 whitewash of the hosts. The three-match T20I series begins on Wednesday.
Match Summary
- Zimbabwe: 277/7 (Curran 79, Raza 59, Madande 36; Chameera 3/52)
- Sri Lanka: 278/5 in 49.3 overs (Nissanka 122, Asalanka 71)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka
Series: Sri Lanka win 2-0, whitewashing Zimbabwe
