This Day That Year: Zimbabwe won a historic ODI match
The Zimbabwean Cricket Team became the first team to successfully
chase down 300 plus total on Sri Lankan soil during the 1st ODI
match played at Galle International Stadium, Galle on 30th June
2017.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and decided
to bat first. It was not an ideal start as Niroshan Dickwella was dismissed
cheaply by Chatara for 10. Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilka played with
positive intent putting pressure on the Zimbabwean bowlers. At the end of 10
overs, Sri Lanka scored 51 for 1.
Both batsmen played with positive intent by rotating the
strike and hitting bad balls away for boundaries. The left-handed Gunathilka
looked in decent touch to complete his fifty off 70 balls while Kusal reached
half-century off 54 balls to keep the scoreboard ticking. Sean Williams
provided the breakthrough dismissing Gunathilka for 60. Both batsmen added 117
runs for the 2nd wicket.
The experienced Upul Tharanga came to the crease and played
with positive intent. On the other hand, Mendis played accordingly. Graeme
Creamer dismissed the well-set Mendis for 86. Mendis and Tharanga added 47
runs for the 3rd wicket.
Mathews and Tharanga made the batting look easy with attacking
stroke play. Tharanga looked in fluent touch to reach his fifty off 56 balls.
Mathews also played a quickfire cameo scoring 43 off 30 balls. Mire got rid of
Mathews to end 74 runs stand for the 4th wicket. Asela Gunaratne and
Tharanga added another important partnership of 56. Sri Lanka posted a competitive
total of 316 for 5 in 50 overs.
Chasing 317 runs to win, it was not an ideal start as
Hamilton Masakadza was dismissed cheaply for 5. Solomon Mire and Craig Ervine
played with caution to take Zimbabwe at 46 for 1.
Akila Danajaya dismissed Craig Ervine to put Zimbabwe under
pressure. Sean Williams and Solomon Mire stunned the Sri Lankan bowlers with
positive stroke play. Mire looked in fine touch as he completed his fifty off
45 balls. Sean Williams played with Sri Lankan spinners brilliantly and reached
his half-century off 53 balls. Both batsmen put enough pressure on the host's
bowlers. Mire took the attack and completed his century off 85 balls.
Gunaratne provided the much-needed breakthrough for Sri
Lankan dismissing the centurion Mire for 112. Mire and Williams added 161 runs
for the 3rd wicket. Soon after, Gunaratne bought back Sri Lanka into
the match by picking Williams.
Sikander Raza and Malcolm Waller were simply amazing with their
play by rotating the strike and hitting boundaries off bad balls. Raza
impressed and took calculated risks to complete his half-century off 46 balls.
Both batsmen unbeaten 102 runs for the 5th wicket giving Zimbabwe a
famous six-wicket win with 14 balls to spare.
For his match-winning 112 off 96 balls, Mire was awarded the
man of the match. Zimbabwe took a 1-0 lead in the 5 match series.
Zimbabwe become the first team to successfully chase down
300 plus totals on Sri Lankan shores. It was an amazing batting performance
leading to a famous win.
Zimbabwe 322 for 4 in 47.4 overs (Solomon Mire 112, Sikander
Raza 67*, Sean Williams 65, Gunaratne 2/45) beat Sri Lanka 316 for 5 in 50
overs ( Kusal Mendis 86, Tharanga 79*, Gunathilka 60, Chatara 2/49) by six
wickets.
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| This Day That Year Zimbabwe successfully chase down the massive target in Sri Lanka |
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