PALLEKELLE: Dasun Shanaka’s valiant century was not enough to keep Zimbabwe from recording a win in the second ODI at Pallekelle. Zimbabwe successfully defended the score of 302 runs and won by 22 Runs levelling the three-match ODI series.
Sri Lanka made a horrible start chasing the Zimbabwe score of 302 runs, with 3 wickets falling for just 31 runs with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal all back in the pavilion by the 7th over of the innings. Dinesh Chandimal who played a mmatch-winning knock in the first ODI only managed 2 runs. Sri Lankan skipper Shanaka played valiantly to hold the fort together along with Kamindu Mendis. Kamindu reached a well deserved half century but was out for 56 runs. Sri Lanka scoreboard was 181 for 5 wickets (35 overs) when Kamindu made the exit.
Sri Lanka needed almost 9 runs an over in the last 10 overs with 5 wickets in hand. Skipper played a valiant knock to reach a century in 94 balls. Captain Shanaka along with Chamika Karunaratne were steering Sri Lanka towards consolidation before Shanaka fell for Chatara for 102 runs. At the fall of the Sri Lankan skipper, the Sri Lanka total was 247 for 6 wickets with the required run rate creeping over 11 runs. Sri Lanka made it to only 280 for 9 wickets off the 50 overs. Chamika Karunaratne contributed with a valuable knock of 34 off 38 balls but was not sufficient to pull Sri Lanka to the winning line.
Earlier in the day Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first and set a target of 302 for 8 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Captain Ervine led from the front with a captain’s knock of 91 runs well supported by Chakabva (47) S Williams (48) and Raza (56). Jeffrey Vandersay who got an opportunity to play since Wanindu Hasaranga opted out of the series was the pick of the bowlers picking up vital wickets of the openers Kaitano (26 runs), Chakabva (47 runs) and S Williams (48 runs) for just 51 runs off 9 overs. Nuwan Pradeep collected 2 wickets but was expensive giving away 74 runs off his 10 overs.
Zimbabwe Captain Craig Ervine was named the player of the match for his knock of 91 runs off 98 balls.
The third ODI will be held on Friday, 21st January.
