Pathum Nissanka once again proved why he is becoming the face of Sri Lanka’s white-ball revival, smashing a brilliant 122 to power his side to a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Harare. With this win, Sri Lanka sealed the two-match ODI series 2–0, wrapping up the tour with authority.
Zimbabwe, desperate to square the series, put up a competitive total of 277 for 7 after being sent in to bat. Ben Curran top-scored with a resilient 79, while the ever-reliable Sikandar Raza provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 59. The hosts looked confident as they kept Sri Lanka’s bowlers under pressure, rotating strike well and punishing loose deliveries. But they were always aware that defending against Sri Lanka’s increasingly stable batting order would be a stern challenge.
The chase began shakily for Sri Lanka, losing early wickets to disciplined seam bowling. At 45 for 2, the game seemed delicately poised. Enter Nissanka, who has made a habit of building his innings around patience and smart stroke play. He weathered the early pressure, steadily accumulating runs, and soon began dictating terms with crisp boundaries. His 122, laced with 16 fours, was a masterclass in timing his acceleration.
The defining moment of the innings came when he was joined by captain Charith Asalanka. Together, they stitched a crucial 90-run stand that swung momentum firmly back towards the visitors. Asalanka’s 71 not out added much-needed urgency, but it was Nissanka’s calm head and ability to control the tempo that made the partnership click. Even as Zimbabwe fought back with quick breakthroughs, Sri Lanka’s batting spine refused to buckle.
By the time the game reached the closing overs, Nissanka had already done the heavy lifting. His ability to rotate strike under pressure and pounce on poor deliveries ensured Sri Lanka didn’t lose control of the chase. Asalanka then took charge of the final overs, steering the side across the line with just three balls to spare.
This was Nissanka’s seventh ODI hundred, and perhaps one of his most significant. It confirmed his reputation as Sri Lanka’s most dependable batter in pressure situations. Importantly, he finished the series as its leading run-scorer, showing that consistency is beginning to define his game rather than flashes of brilliance.
For Zimbabwe, the series loss will sting, especially as they competed hard in both matches. Curran and Raza provided sparks, but their bowling lacked the killer punch needed to defend totals against well-set batters. The fight was visible, but the inability to close out key moments cost them dearly.
For Sri Lanka, this series win is about more than just numbers. It signals a steady rise in their ODI structure, with Nissanka at the heart of it. His maturity, combined with Asalanka’s growing leadership, offers hope for a side long searching for stability. As Sri Lanka prepare for bigger challenges on the global stage, this victory—and particularly Nissanka’s century—marks a step forward in their journey back to the top table of world cricket.
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