Pathum Nissanka rose to the haze of fronting a challenging Zimbabwe score of 277 in the deadpan of a seeing Sri Lanka through century works striking a defining 122 off 136 balls firing 16 boundaries for his seventh ODI ton together with skipper Charith Asalanka 71 off 61 with 7 boundaries in a 90 run fourth-wicket bonding off 86 balls as the visitors won by 5 wickets with 3 balls to spare for a 2-nil series win yesterday at the Harare Sports Club Grounds.
Upfront, Nissanka added 78 with Sadeera Samarawickrama for the third wicket in overcoming the early losses of Nuwanidu Fernando, the injury replacement for Nishan Madushka for 14 and Kusal Mendis for 5 in taking Sri Lanka to 146 for 3 after 30.1 from where Charith Asalanka arrived to the show with a telling Captain Cool high and by the time the trailblazers had exited put Sri Lanka in a box seat 6 runs away from victory which Janith Liyanage 19 and Kamindu Mendis 5 put the finishing touches.
Zimbabwe,nto bat, scored a challenging 277 for 7 off 50 overs in what was another boost to enhancing their ODI image following the 290 plus score in the lost first game, but not to be outdone in defeat for their gallantry in defeat. Ben Curran reeled off a courageous 79 off 95 inclusive of 9 boundaries as co-opener Brian Bennet was bowled by quick Dushmantha Chameera for 21off 29 and Brendan Taylor caught by Chameera off Janith Liyanage for 20 off 37.
Sikandar Raza followed his fine form of 92 in the lost first game with an unbeaten 59 off 55 with 5 boundaries and a six as wickets fell around him. He posted 39 for the third wicket with Curran who fell on the mark of 150 after 31.1 overs with Clive Madande joining Raza in a redeeming 98 seventh wicket alliance when the former was bowled by Chameera for a run a ball 36 with 4 boundaries as Raza carried his bat to a valiant end in that lost cause.
Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera enjoyed what was his best comeback from long injury ay off being the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 52 from his 10 overs with Asitha Fernando 2 for 67.
Chief Scores
Zimbabwe 277/7 (50 Overs)
Ben Curran 79, Sikandar Raza n.o. 59, Clive Madande 36, Brian Bennett 21, Brendan Taylor 20, Sean Williams 20, Dushmantha Chameera 3/52, Asitha Fernando 2/67, Janith Liyanage 1/36, Dilshan Madushanka 1/57.
Sri Lanka 278/5 (49.3 Overs)
Pathum Nissanka 122, Charith Asalanka 71, Sadeera Samarawickrama 31, Janith Liyanage n.o. 19, Nuwanidu Fernando 14, Kamindu Mendis n.o. 5, Brad Evans 2/54, Richard Ngarava 2/53, Ernest Masuku 1/32.