The rain gods favored Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe got off to a poor start as they chased 274 runs and were 12/2 in four overs when rain interrupted the match and thus never stopped, so the match had to be called off. The Zimbabweans have not been in top form of late but showed good bowling skills during the first innings.
Batting first at R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka were restricted to 273/9 by a young Zimbabwe bowling attack. The Sri Lankan team did not start well as they lost their first wicket in the first over to Avishka Fernando for a duck. Richard Ngarava was to blame for the early blow to the hosts.
Rain saves Zimbabwe in Colombo
However, the duo of Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 63 runs for the second wicket and attempted to bring Sri Lanka back into the match. However, Richard Ngarava ended the partnership when he removed Samarawickrama for 41 runs off 31 balls in the ninth over.
Janith Liyanage then tried to form a partnership with Kusal Mendis and added 48 runs for the third wicket. However, Liyanage’s stay at the crease lasted only 34 balls and Faraz Akram removed him for 24 runs. Kusal Mendis looked towards one end but he too lost concentration and his innings ended at 46 runs thanks to a run from Sikandar Raza.
After the top four got out, Charith Asalanka proved to be the real storm for Zimbabwe as she scored 101 runs off 95 balls with five fours and four sixes. Asalanka added needed runs with Sahan Arachige (11), Dasun Shanaka (8), Maheesh Theekshana (10) and Dushmantha Chameera (18).
At last, Charith Asalanka’s innings ended with a run off Clive Madande, while Jefferey Vandersay and Dilshan Madushanka were unbeaten on 3 runs respectively. Ultimately, Sri Lanka could only manage 273/9 and Zimbabwe had a decent bowling performance.
Rain: 1, Game: 0. The game has been suspended! 💔#SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/hPrA8Vn29c
– Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 6, 2024
Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Faraz Akram got two wickets, while Sikandar Raza finished the innings with one wicket.
While chasing the target, Zimbabwe received a double blow from Dilshan Madushanka as he removed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and captain Craig Ervine for a duck and Zimbabwe were reduced to 5/2. However, the visitors were saved by rain when they had just added 12 runs for the loss of 2 wickets on the board in 4 overs.
The rain never really stopped and eventually the match had to be canceled and the next match was scheduled to be played on January 8 at the same R Premadasa Stadium.
Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka are not in good form lately and have been going through a rough patch of late. Sri Lanka, on the one hand, showed a below-average performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, Zimbabwe failed to make it to the T20 World Cup 2024 after finishing third in the African region standings.
Zimbabwe are playing under new coach Walter Chawaguta and with the kind of bowling performance they showed, it will certainly prove to be a tough challenge for Sri Lanka.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 273/9 (Charith Asalanka 101; Richard Ngarava 2/39) Zimbabwe 12/2 (Milton Shubma 2*: Dilshan Madushanka 2/0)
