ZIMBABWE stunned hosts Sri Lanka with a 6-wicket WIN at the iconic R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium, claiming top spot in Group B of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup heading into the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
The visitors, chasing 179, reached the target with three balls to spare, thanks to Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 63, Sikandar Raza’s explosive 45, Tonny Munyonga’s three-ball eight and Tadiwanashe Marumani’s mature 34 up the order.
Zimbabwe assistant coach Dion Ebrahim summed up the mood in the camp after making it three wins in three.
“The feeling of all the players and staff is that of elation and joy,” he said.
“I guess when we set out to come over to play in the World Cup, we had certain goals.
“And with that, we also had a sense of belief that we could achieve what we thought we could and show what we could actually do.”
Keep Reading
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat, but it was Pathum Nissanka’s 62 that powered them to 178/7 in their alloted overs.
The opener scored at a strike rate of 151.21, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers fought back, restricting the hosts to a modest total.
Graeme Cremer led the charge, picking two wickets for 27 runs in four overs, while Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans also claimed two each.
The dismissal of Pathum for 62, caught by Munyonga off Cremer, signalled Zimbabwe’s turnaround.
Pavan Rathnayake fell for 44, caught Cremer off Evans, and Sri Lanka were struggling.
In response, Zimbabwe’s openers, Marumani and Bennett, put on 69 for the opening wicket.
Marumani fell for 34, but Bennett and Ryan Burl (23) took the score to 100/2 in 11.5 overs.
With six overs remaining, Zimbabwe needed 65, and Bennett (45) and Sikandar Raza (6) were at the crease.
Raza accelerated, hitting back-to-back sixes and a boundary off Hemantha, and the momentum shifted in Zimbabwe’s favour.
Bennett reached 50 (41) in the 16.3 overs, and Raza departed for 45 (26) after hitting two fours and four sixes.
With 171/4, Zimbabwe needed eight runs to win from the last over.
Munyonga hit Theekshana’s first ball for a six, nudged the next for a single before Bennett struck the third ball four a boundary and Zimbabwe were home with three balls to spare. Bennett was 63 not out, and Munyonga 8 not out.
The win propels Zimbabwe to the summit of Group B on seven points, having booked a place to the Super 8 on Tuesday following a rain draw in Kandy.
Sri Lanka on the other hand finished second in the group and proceed to Super 8 after being the first side in Group B to book a place in the next round when they beat Australia at the R. Premadasa.
Zimbabwe’s next opponents in the Super 8 stage are West Indies, India and South, but they will be looking to build on this momentum and make a statement.