Sri Lanka Blow Away Zimbabwe with Batting Storm

At Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe posted their highest-ever T20I total against Sri Lanka, yet victory eluded them. Powered by explosive knocks from Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka cruised to an emphatic 8-wicket win in the third and final match to seal the series under skipper Charith Asalanka. 

Winning the toss on Sunday, Asalanka opted to field first. Zimbabwe started brightly, batting through the full 20 overs. Contributions from Marumani (51), Sikandar Raza (28), Sean Williams (23), and Ryan Burl (26) carried the hosts to 191/8—their highest-ever T20I total against Sri Lanka.

But despite the imposing score, Zimbabwe couldn’t withstand the Lankans’ counterattack. Opener Kusal Mendis blasted 30 off 17 balls to power Sri Lanka to 67 runs in the powerplay. Then, Mishara and Perera forged an unbroken 117-run stand off 63 balls for the third wicket. Mishara smashed a blistering 73 off 43 (3 sixes, 6 fours), while Perera stayed unbeaten on 46 off 26, finishing the chase in style. Sri Lanka overhauled the 191-run target with 14 balls to spare.

For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans and Sikandar Raza picked up a wicket each. With both sides having won one match apiece earlier, the decider turned into an unofficial final. Sri Lanka’s dominant win handed them the series 2-1.