Chameera and Vandersay’s partnership guided Sri Lanka to victory
Sri Lanka registered a two-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second ODI of the series on Monday at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and opted to bat first.
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe lost to Tinashe Kamunhukamwe in the very first over. After the dismissal of Kamunhukamwe, Joylord Gumbie and Craig Ervine made a 60-run partnership for the second wicket until the dismissal of J. Gumbie for 30 runs. Later, Milton Shumba and Craig Ervine added 53 runs for the third wicket. Milton Shumba scored 26 runs. After that, Sikandar Raza departs for just one run. After two quick wickets, Craig Ervine and Ryan Burl made a 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Skipper Craig Ervine was the top scorer with 82 runs, and Ryan Burl scored 31 runs. However, after that, Zimbabwe lost momentum, and they lost six wickets for 26 runs. Eventually, Zimbabwe bowled out 208 runs in 44.4 overs.
In reply to that, Sri Lanka were off to a shaky start, and they lost Aishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama cheaply. After two quick wickets, Kusal Mendis and Janith Liyanage made a 35-run partnership for the third wicket. Kusal Mendis departs for 17 runs just after the rain break. Two runs later, Charith Asalanka was dismissed for a duck. After that, Sahan Arachchige and Janith Liyanage made a 37-run partnership for the 5th wicket until Arachchige was dismissed for 21 runs. Dasun Shanaka’s poor form continued, and he managed to score seven runs. After the dismissal of Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana and Janith Liyanage added 56 runs for the 7th wicket and kept hopes alive for Sri Lanka. Maheesh Theekshana scored 18 runs. Janith Liyanage was the star with the bat and scored 95 runs. However, after the dismissal of Liyanage, Dushmantha Chameera and Jeffrey Vandersay held their nerves, made an unbeaten 39-run partnership, and guided Sri Lanka to victory. Chameera scored an unbeaten 18 runs, and Jeffrey Vandersay scored an unbeaten 19 runs. Eventually, Sri Lanka chased down the target successfully and scored 211 runs for a loss of eight wickets in 49 overs.
