In a nail-biting encounter at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second One Day International (ODI) match.
Chasing a target of 209 runs, Sri Lanka successfully reached the mark in 49 overs, sealing the win with just one over to spare.
The standout performer of the match was Janith Liyanage, a 28-year-old right-hander playing in his second ODI. Liyanage played a crucial role in the victory with a fighting knock of 95 runs in 127 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes.
His heroic innings earned him the well-deserved title of Man of the Match.
After Liyanage’s departure in the 43rd over, Dushmantha Chameera (18) and Jeffrey Vandersay (19) contributed with a vital 39-run partnership for the ninth wicket, securing Sri Lanka’s victory and a 1-0 series lead with one match remaining.
Liyanage’s all-round performance was highlighted by an excellent 56-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Maheesh Theekshana.
This partnership helped stabilize Sri Lanka after a challenging start, as they had been struggling at 112 for 6 wickets in 30.5 overs.
The thrilling victory adds excitement to the series and showcases the resilience of the Sri Lankan team in a closely contested match. The final match of the series will undoubtedly be highly anticipated as both teams look to make their mark.
