Zimbabwe’s last-over heroics level three-match T20 series, standing at 1-1

By DARSHANA SANJEEWA BALASURIYA

16 January 2024 11:08 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Jan. 16 (Daily Mirror) - In a nail-biting showdown at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday, Zimbabwe's Luke Jongwe and Clive Madande staged a sensational final-over performance against Angelo Mathews, clinching the second Twenty20 International. The dramatic conclusion resulted in a series draw, with both teams now leveled at 1-1.

Zimbabwe, opting to field after a thrilling loss in the first T20I game on Sunday, retained their lineup, while Sri Lanka made a change, bringing in Dilshan Madushanka in place of Nuwan Thushara.

Sri Lanka's top-order struggled, losing four early wickets for 27 runs in 4.4 overs against the Zimbabwe bowlers. However, Mathews and Asalanka orchestrated a remarkable comeback, setting a new Sri Lankan record for the fifth-wicket partnership with a 118-run stand in 79 deliveries. This surpassed the previous record of 86 runs set by Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa against Bangladesh in Sharjah in 2021.

Mathews, who showcased brilliance in the first T20I, remained unbeaten with 66 runs off 51 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes, marking his sixth half-century in T20I cricket.

Asalanka crossed the 50-run mark for the fifth time, scoring 69 off 39 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes.

Sri Lanka posted a challenging total of 173 for six in 20 overs. Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani and Luke Jongwe claimed two wickets each, while Richard Ngarava and Wellington Masakadza took one wicket each.

In pursuit of the target, Dilshan Madushanka made an impact in his second over, dismissing Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for 12 runs. However, a resilient 74-run partnership between Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett for the second wicket put Sri Lanka under pressure. Mahesh Theekshana bowled out Bennett for 25 runs, and Sri Lanka's captain Wanindu Hasaranga struck in his last over, claiming the crucial wicket of Ervine, who scored 70 off 54 balls with six fours and two sixes.

Zimbabwe needed 20 runs in the last over when captain Hasaranga turned to Angelo Mathews to defend the target. However, a game-changing moment occurred when Zimbabwe's Jongwe hit a six on the first ball of the 19th over, deemed a no-ball. Luke Jongwe and Clive Madande exhibited impressive batting, securing 24 runs in the first five deliveries of the last over. The historic win was sealed as Clive Madande struck a winning six.

Despite the brilliant batting by Mathews, the decision to use a slow-medium pacer in the crucial final over faced criticism.

Luke Jongwe was the Player of the Match.

The third and final T20I to be played in the same venue on Thursday. (Pix: Pradeep Dilrukshana)

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Comments - 18

Cric lover Tuesday, 16 January 2024 11:19 PM

AFTER FIRST MATCH TALKING TOO MATCH. WENT UPTO WORLD CUP. REMEMBER ALL SRI LANKA ZIM. BABA WAY. TEAM.

C. Lover Tuesday, 16 January 2024 11:24 PM

OUR CAPTAIN BOWLED. 4 OVERS. 41. RUNS PREVIOUS MATCH JUMPED TOO MATCH. YOU CANNOT JUDGE IN ONE MATCH.

Manoranjan Perera Tuesday, 16 January 2024 11:38 PM

Playing on home ground in our conditions batting against a weaker team now who's going to take the blame

Uncle Paradise Tuesday, 16 January 2024 11:41 PM

Possibly inexperienced captaining in terms of managing the bowling attack. Let's add this to the learning bucket and more on.

Ram Wednesday, 17 January 2024 04:07 AM

Captain should have kept a fast bowler with an over for the last over than get Mathew to bowl. Mathew is good to bowl the over numbers 12-18. Zims got 17 runs in the last over and were destined to win this match.

Shan Wednesday, 17 January 2024 04:50 AM

Poor death overs from SL

nadarajah Wednesday, 17 January 2024 05:48 AM

big mouthed Angelo mathews bites the dust -better keep his mouth shut and perform

Hasaranga ask Mathews to bowl bad decision, previous selectors right not to have them Wednesday, 17 January 2024 06:39 AM

The cricket team is lacking in mature decision making. First ball of Mathews over was a no ball, hit for a six, any ball bowled but a no ball going for six is better. Hasaranga as captain is a failure, he can captain a loud rude beach boys team, but not in important matters. Mathews should have suggested maybe there are better bowler around instead of being so big headed, and then ball a no ball with is ageing out of date body on the first ball. hit for a six.

neil Wednesday, 17 January 2024 06:40 AM

Sri Lanka cricket is in bad shape and will take at least two more years to have hose-full stadium of spectators. Women cricket may get more fan in such scenarios.

Loser captain, and bowling failure, get rid of them Wednesday, 17 January 2024 06:43 AM

What is wrong with the Minister that he needs to interfere and have Hasaranga in important job. Hasaranga is a dummy bowler. Look at him ask no good bowler Mathews, again Minister should not be involved in cricket as it's there asking for player feedback which let's these idiot loud mouths get into the team, and cause national pain in there consistent losing.

Selectors failed by having Mathews in the team Wednesday, 17 January 2024 06:55 AM

Mathews will always let the side down. Last over the match, first ball was more of dismal attitude showing. Why the selectors have Mathews in the team?

sinna Wednesday, 17 January 2024 07:37 AM

No matter what...this sri Lanka cricket and its players will never impove for consistence period !!!!!!! Its a prize for arrogance and racism ... pay it

Cherath Wednesday, 17 January 2024 07:47 AM

Getting a harmless medium pacer to bowl the last over is fundamentally unwise. No balling the 1st ball decided the result. Dasun Shanaka, who too is hardly menacing, would have been slightly better. Much better would have been to save one of Chameera's or Dushmantha's quota for the 20th over. Hasaranga needs to learn fast about captaincy.

mohandev Wednesday, 17 January 2024 07:58 AM

Good example of wrong decisions by ungroomed captains

Ruwan Wednesday, 17 January 2024 08:09 AM

So much for Mathews big talk on the former selectors who didn't select him and Hasaranga's eternal cries that the batsmen didn't fire, as if the bowlers including himself were performing well. Imagine getting Mathews to bowl the final over! Former captain Dasun Shanaka must be holding back his bellows of laughter.

RuwanL Wednesday, 17 January 2024 08:56 AM

Mathews should not have bowled the last over! Poor captaincy! Mathews should have pitched up to avoid being hit for sixes! !

XBET Sugar Daddys Wednesday, 17 January 2024 09:38 AM

This scenario was planned ahead by Sammi Selva upon request of XBET. Odds were favoring SL and loosing will facilitate huge profits for XBET who will share the profits with all stakeholders. Better luck next time SL supporters.

Siriya Latha Wednesday, 17 January 2024 09:47 AM

big talking film stars have no place to hide..! Failure after failure, but the place in the team is cemented.

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Zimbabwe’s last-over heroics level three-match T20 series, standing at 1-1

Comments - 18

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