Kamil Mishara Guides Sri Lanka to Series Win

Zimbabwe 191/8 in 20 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 51, Sikandar Raza 28; Dushan Hemantha 3/38, Dushmantha Chameera 2/33)
Sri Lanka 193/2 in 17.4 overs (Kamil Mishara 73*, Kusal Perera 46*; Brad Evans 1/28, Sikandar Raza 1/29)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets.

Sri Lanka bounced back in style to clinch the T20I series with a dominant 8-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the third game of the series. After their disappointing collapse for 80 runs in the previous game, the hosts produced a vastly improved batting performance, chasing down a stiff 192-run target with ease.

On a batting-friendly surface, Sri Lanka’s openers laid a solid foundation for the chase. Pathum Nissanka took on Richard Ngarava with two boundaries in the first over. It was followed by a six and a four in the third. Kusal Mendis played second fiddle initially but joined the attack in the fifth over. He smashed 18 runs off Blessing Muzarabani. Their aggressive start powered Sri Lanka to 67/1 at the end of the PowerPlay, despite Mendis’ dismissal in the sixth over after a 58-run opening stand.

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Nissanka fell early in the eighth over to Sikandar Raza. That was Zimbabwe’s last moment of joy. Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera stitched a commanding 117-run partnership. Both batters attacked Zimbabwe’s wayward bowling. Mishara scored his maiden T20I half-century as Sri Lanka cruised to victory in just 17.4 overs..

Zimbabwe, earlier, made the most of being asked to bat first. Tadiwanashe Marumani led the charge, smashing a four and a six in the second over. Despite losing his partner early, Marumani and Sean Williams kept the momentum going, pushing the score to 58/1. Williams fell in the seventh over. Raza’s aggressive strokeplay, including a six and a four in the ninth, ensured the run rate stayed high. The pair added 56 runs before Raza departed attempting a reverse sweep in the 13th over. Marumani reached his half-century but was stumped in the 15th over while trying to accelerate.

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Even with wickets falling, Zimbabwe maintained their scoring rate through useful cameos from Ryan Burl (26), Tashinga Musekiwa (18), and Tony Munyonga (13). Ngarava ended the innings with a boundary off the final ball and pushed Zimbabwe’s total to a competitive 191/8. Sri Lanka’s fielding was sloppy at times but didn’t impact the outcome.

Pic: Getty Images