Zimbabwe fell agonisingly short by 7 runs in the opening One Day International against Sri Lanka, in a thrilling contest at Harare Sports Club that went right down to the wire.
Stand-in captain Sean Williams, deputising for the injured Craig Ervine (calf strain), won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the morning conditions that often favour seamers with the new ball at Harare Sports Club.
Pacer Richard Ngarava struck early, removing Nishan Madushka for a duck with Sri Lanka reeling at 9-1.
The visitors, however, recovered through a composed 76 off 92 balls from Pathum Nissanka and an unbeaten 70 from Janith Liyanage to post 298/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers were expensive at the death. Trevor Gwandu leaked 61 runs from 6.2 overs at an economy of 9.63, while frontline quick Blessing Muzarabani claimed one wicket but went for 65 runs in his 10 overs.
The hosts’ chase got off to the worst possible start, with Brian Bennett and Brendan Taylor dismissed for ducks in the first over, leaving Zimbabwe in deep trouble at 0-2
Williams and Ben Curran steadied the innings with a fighting 118 run stand off 130 balls. Williams scored 57 before falling, while Curran looked in fine touch on his way to 70 before being undone by a short ball from Asitha Fernando.
Sikandar Raza and Tony Munyonga then reignited Zimbabwe’s hopes with a brilliant 128-run partnership for the fourth wicket, taking the game deep.
Going into the final over, Zimbabwe needed 10 runs off 6 balls, with Raza on 92 and looking set to pull off a famous win.
But Dilshan Madushanka had other ideas. The left-arm quick produced a stunning hat-trick in the first three balls of the over dismissing Raza (bowled), Brad Evans, and Richard Ngarava to seal victory for Sri Lanka.
Madushanka finished with figures of 4/62 and was deservedly named Player of the Match.
Zimbabwe ended on 291/8, losing by 7 runs in front of a passionate home crowd left breathless by the dramatic finale.
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