Opening batter Pathum Nissanka hit an unbeaten 98 off 58 balls as Sri Lanka hammered Zimbabwe by 9 wickets Tuesday for its first win within the T20 tri-series.
Nissanka’s whirlwind knock, which featured 4 sixes and 11 boundaries, propelled Sri Lanka to 148-1 with 22 balls to spare on a wicket the place Zimbabwe batters struggled to attain 146-5.
Pakistan has already certified for Saturday’s remaining thanks to 3 straight wins. Sri Lanka should beat the host Thursday — in any other case Zimbabwe will advance to the ultimate due to its superior web run-rate.
Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (25 not out) shared an 89-run stand off 64 balls as Zimbabwe bowlers struggled to stem the circulation of runs from the Sri Lankan opening batter.
“From the beginning, the boldness was there,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka stated. “We bowled in the proper areas, particularly Maheesh Theekshana … and we carried via.”
Nissanka confirmed lot of aggression towards the tempo however performed cautiously towards the spin of Sikandar Raza (0-17) within the center overs.
Nissanka offered Sri Lanka a brisk begin of 59 contained in the batting energy play earlier than Wellington Masakadza took a spectacular tumbling catch at mid-wicket to dismiss Kamil Mishara for 12.
Raza slowed the tempo for some time along with his 4 tidy overs earlier than Nissanka lower lose towards the tempo and raised his half-century off 38 balls.
Zimbabwe’s premier quick bowler Richard Ngarava conceded 44 runs off his 3.2 overs as Nissanka smashed three sixes towards him. Quick bowler Brad Evans conceded 36 for the wicket of Mishara whereas third seamer Tinotenda Maposa was costly within the energy play and conceded 29 off his two overs.
Earlier, Theekshana took 2-23 when he clear bowled Tadiwanashe Marumani (4) and Dion Myers (6) cheaply contained in the batting energy play.
Brendan Taylor (14) twice efficiently overturned on-field lbw choices towards him via evaluations however couldn’t final lengthy as he tried a ramp shot towards Dasun Shanka and was clear bowled spherical his legs.
Zimbabwe additional received strangled towards the spin of Wanindu Hasaranga (2-23) within the center overs with Brian Bennett getting dismissed in a weird vogue.
Bennett made 34 off 26 balls, however couldn’t power the acceleration earlier than he received out hit wicket when he went too deep into his crease towards Hasaranga’s faster supply and as a substitute of hitting the ball, the right-handed batter smashed his bat onto the stumps.
Captain Raza made 37 off 29 balls, however perished earlier than the demise overs when he sliced Hasaranga to brief third within the fifteenth over. Ryan Burl hit 5 boundaries and a six to attain unbeaten 37 off 26 balls, however the complete proved properly below-par.
“We have been barely brief,” Raza stated. “We didn’t bowl properly within the powerplay, we didn’t enable the ball to swing … we haven’t been ready the place we’ve to depend on others to qualify, so it’s place to be in. I assume everybody might be supporting Pakistan in order that we are able to get into the ultimate.”
Revealed on Nov 26, 2025