Dilshan Madushanka’s hat-trick within the remaining over helped Sri Lanka to edge previous spirited Zimbabwe by seven runs within the opening ODI of the two-match collection right here on the Harare Sports activities Membership on Friday.
The house facet wanted 10 runs off the ultimate over, with set batters Sikandar Raza and Tony Munyonga unbeaten on 92 and 42, respectively.
Madushanka, who had conceded 60 runs from his 9 overs, was handed over the ball by captain Charith Asalanka, and the left-arm pacer justified the choice by registering a hat-trick off the primary three deliveries.
He leaked away solely two runs within the decisive over, limiting Zimbabwe to 291/8 in pursuit of 299.
Skilled all-rounder Raza remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with an 87-ball 92, that includes eight deliveries.
Apart from him, opening batter Ben Curran (70) and stand-in captain Sean Williams (57) scored half-centuries, whereas Tony Munyonga was the opposite notable run-getter together with his unbeaten 43 off 52 deliveries.
Madushanka completed with magnificent bowling figures of 4/62 in his 10 overs. He was supported by Asitha Fernando, who picked up three wickets for 50 runs, whereas Kamindu Mendis chipped in with one.
Put into bat first, Sri Lanka registered a formidable complete of 298/6 of their set of fifty overs, courtesy of half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu.
Nissanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with a 92-ball 76, carefully adopted by Liyanage, who scored an unbeaten 70, whereas Kamindu made 57 off 36 deliveries.
Wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis (38) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (35) additionally made helpful contributions within the center.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava claimed two wickets, whereas Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Raza and Williams shared 4 between them.
The hard-fought victory gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead within the collection, with the second and remaining ODI scheduled to be performed on the identical venue on Sunday.
