Sri Lanka fall to embarrassing defeat against Zimbabwe as they slump to their second-lowest T20I total in Harare.
Sri Lanka slump to their second-lowest T20I total as Zimbabwe romp to series-levelling win.
Sikandar Raza, Brad Evans, and Blessing Muzarabani all shared eight wickets as Sri Lanka fell to their second-lowest T20I total ever, falling to 80 in 18 overs. Sri Lanka never made even a slight comeback during their batting innings. Even the 26-run stand for the sixth wicket looked laboured and featured several near misses.
Even though Zimbabwe’s top partnership was just worth 26, they managed to string together longer stretches of batting proficiency despite some incisive bowling from Dushmantha Chameera. The hosts easily prevailed in the fifteenth over thanks to Tashinga Musekiwa’s confident 21 not out off 12 balls.
During the powerplay, Muzarabani took two overs for ten runs. From his two, Evans claimed 2 for 14. By the finish, Sri Lanka was 37 for 4. To recover strong batting performances from there, lower-middle order miracles are required.
Raza devoured Sri Lanka’s middle order, which the seamers presented to him on a plate. Sri Lanka’s batters were alert because so many wickets had been lost, and Raza did not give up a boundary in his four overs.
Kamindu Mendis, who was dangerous, was removed for a fourth-ball duck by him. He got rid of Chameera and Charith Asalanka in three deliveries in his third over. He was named player of the match for his efforts, finishing with 3 for 11 off four overs.
Although it never appeared possible, Chameera gave Sri Lanka an opportunity to defend this. Sean Williams’ off-stump was knocked off of the ground by him because he was too fast for Tadiwanashe Marumani. Raza was then dragged onto off-stump by him. At short midwicket, Asalanka had a good chance from Musekiwa that would have given Chameera a fourth wicket.