Sri Lanka kept their hopes of reaching the tri-nation T20 series final alive with a nine-wicket victory.
Needing just 5 runs to win and 8 more for a century, Pathum Nissanka was on the cusp of history. Aiming for two more boundaries to reach three figures, he lofted pacer Richard Ngarava over the boundary to end the match. Smiling, with his hands on his hips, the opener paused briefly—perhaps playing the shot specifically for the four!
Although Nissanka fell just short of a century, Sri Lanka secured a commanding win. By defeating Zimbabwe by nine wickets, they kept their final hopes alive in the tri-nation T20 series.
In Rawalpindi on Tuesday, Zimbabwe posted 146 runs in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka reached the target comfortably in 16.2 overs, with 22 balls to spare.
Nissanka remained unbeaten on 98 off 58 balls, hitting four sixes and eleven fours, earning him the Player of the Match award.
This was Sri Lanka’s first win of the tournament after two losses. With 2 points, they are in third place, just behind Zimbabwe, who also have 2 points but a better net run rate. Pakistan, already qualified for the final, top the points table with 6 points.
In the final league match on Thursday, a win against Pakistan will see Sri Lanka reach the final, while a loss would hand Zimbabwe a place in the championship decider.
Earlier in the series, Sri Lanka suffered a heavy defeat chasing 163 against Zimbabwe, being bowled out for 95. Nissanka had a slow start this time, scoring only 2 off the first 5 balls, but soon found his rhythm, hitting Ngarava for consecutive boundaries.
In the fifth over, he struck four consecutive fours off Tinotenda Maposa, and in the next over, Kamil Mishara broke the 59-run opening partnership.
Alongside Kusal Mendis, Nissanka kept the innings moving, reaching his fifty off just 38 balls. He then cleared Ngarava for two sixes and sent Brad Evans for a four and six in two successive balls.
With 10 runs needed to win and 12 for his century, Nissanka faced a wide from Ngarava at the start of the 17th over and hit the next ball for four, bringing the match to a close and leaving him just shy of three figures.
In an unbeaten 64-ball partnership of 89 with Mendis (25*), Nissanka scored 61 himself.
Zimbabwe, batting first after losing the toss, lost Tadiwanashe Marumani in the very first over. Diyon Myers and Brendan Taylor failed to make a significant impact. Among the top four batsmen, only opener Brian Bennett reached double figures with 34 off 26 balls.
Later, captain Sikandar Raza (37 off 29) and Ryan Burl (37* off 26) kept Zimbabwe competitive, pushing them close to 150.
Sri Lanka’s controlled bowling effort was led by spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, who took two wickets each.
Brief Scores
- Zimbabwe: 146/5 in 20 overs (Bennett 34, Marumani 4, Myers 6, Taylor 14, Raza 37, Burl 37*, Musekiwa 6*; Theekshana 4-0-23-2, Shanaka 4-0-36-1, Chamira 4-0-26-0, Hasaranga 4-0-23-2, Malinga 4-0-33-0)
- Sri Lanka: 148/1 in 16.2 overs (Nissanka 98*, Mishara 12, Kusal Mendis 25*; Ngarava 3.2-0-44-0, Maposa 2-0-29-0, Evans 4-0-36-1, Raza 4-0-17-0, Masakadza 3-0-19-0)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka
