Theekshana, Janith Liyanage shine in Sri Lanka’s thrilling 2-wicket victory over Zimbabwe

8 January 2024 11:27 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Jan 08 (Daily Mirror) - Mahesh Theekshana and Janith Liyanage played pivotal roles in guiding Sri Lanka to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Monday (08).

With this win, Sri Lanka takes a 1-0 lead in the series as the first ODI was called off due to rain on Saturday.

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first. They faced challenges in their batting against Sri Lanka in the second ODI. The opening batsman, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, was dismissed in the first over by Dilshan Madushanka, setting a poor start. After losing an early wicket, Joylord Gumbie provided a glimmer of hope with a resilient 30, but the other top-order batsmen failed to convert their starts into significant scores. Craig Ervine's well-played 82 and Ryan Burl's determined 31 added some runs later on, but it wasn't enough to overcome the steady pressure from Sri Lanka's bowlers. Mahesh Theekshana led the attack with four wickets, while Dushmantha Chameera and Jeffrey Vandersay took two each. Zimbabwe ended with a below-par score of 208, setting the stage for Sri Lanka's chase.

Sri Lanka's chase had a shaky start, losing Avishka Fernando in the first over after scoring just four runs. Sadeera Samarawickrama couldn't continue his form and was caught behind to Ngarava. Kusal Mendis and Janith Liyanage put on a 35-run partnership for the third wicket. However, Skipper Mendis was dismissed for 17 in the 14th over, and Charith Asalanka, who scored a hundred in the first ODI, was out for a duck, leaving Sri Lanka at 53/4. Sahan Arachchige joined Janith Liyanage, and they added 37 runs for the fifth wicket. Arachchige was dismissed for 21 in the 26th over.

Former captain Dasun Shanaka failed to continue his form and was dismissed for just seven runs, adding disappointment to the middle-order batting lineup. Janith Liyanage, making his debut appearance in the first ODI against Zimbabwe, played a magnificent innings of 95 runs with six fours and two maximums when Sri Lanka faced a difficult position. Mahesh Theekshana and Liyanage put on a much-needed 56 runs for the seventh wicket. Theekshana scored 18 runs, showcasing his all-round performance.

When Sri Lanka found themselves at eight wickets down for 172, Jeffrey Vandersay and Dushmantha Chameera concluded the game in the 49th over, reaching a total of 211 for 8. Richard Ngarava played a crucial role for Zimbabwe, taking a five-wicket haul for 32 runs, while Sikandar Raza contributed with two wickets.

Vandersay and Chameera forged an unbeaten 39-run partnership, securing Sri Lanka's first win in 2024. The third and final ODI is scheduled to take place at the same venue on Thursday (11).

Janith Liyanage recieved the man of the match award.

"I must credit our bowling unit for their consistent performances. However, as a batting lineup, we are disappointed with our displays. We cannot continue playing like this. We will rectify our batting in the future," Kusal Mendis said. (Pix: Kushan Pathiraja)

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Comments - 10

Jude Tuesday, 09 January 2024 12:00 AM

Impressive win, excellent team work!! I really like how the SL tail bat. Keep it up!! Janith that was a great match winning knock!!!

Congratulation for our cricket board. Tuesday, 09 January 2024 02:27 AM

Congratulation... With whom next....South Africa, Australia, India or Moldive island. Where were we and where are now.

Suren Tuesday, 09 January 2024 07:44 AM

Dasun Shanaka failed to continue his form or continued his poor form? Honestly, I am unable to understand why he is still in the team!!!

Jayantha Tuesday, 09 January 2024 07:54 AM

Selection of poor batsmans made it a thriller. This is why we cannot win with major teams and gets out for very low scores. If ZM had another quality baller like Nagarawa, we would have lost the match by 100 odd runs even. Why include failures like Avishka in the line up. Give that to a new comer. Also Shanaka was never a odi player. Instead give that slot to someone who can bat and ball when needed.

warren Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:28 AM

Not to be negative. Can we be jubilant about this victory? It took 49 overs for Sri Lanka to reach 209 while losing eight wickets against a team like Zimbabwe (with due respect). Now, don't think we are now at the top of the cricket world.

Sambo Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:31 AM

It was pathetic to watch how Sri Lanka was chasing a most moderate score and struggling to achieve it. Nothing has improved in the team accept new selectors and more instructors.

Cherath Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:41 AM

I haven't seen a Sri Lankan batsman with such a good stance, style and balance around the wicket like Janith Liyanage since Owen Mottau or Anura Tennakoon. He is in the same mould as Samson of India but much better.I hope the SLCricket fine tune his relative weaknesses in fearless lifting over between mid on and mid off and power hitting. Valuable asset no doubt.

Cricket Fan Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:35 AM

Hope that future will be NEAR FUTURE. Day after tomorrow.

Prayer can do wonders - even in cricket Tuesday, 09 January 2024 04:00 PM

There is nothing to cheer about. This game could have gone either way. 172/8 chasing 208 is not an ideal situation. You are still nearly 40 runs away and the loss of one more wicket could have been curtains for SL. We are very lucky that this Vandersay guy and Chameera guy pulled us through. Better pray harder next time.

Karunapala Tuesday, 09 January 2024 07:09 PM

It was a difficult win by a very low margin. If anyone says SL team is OK, time to wake up. Still SL cricket team does not play for their country. They don't have that feeling..

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Theekshana, Janith Liyanage shine in Sri Lanka’s thrilling 2-wicket victory over Zimbabwe

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