Ben Curran’s Valiant Fifty Sparks Zimbabwe’s Fightback in Harare Thriller
Harare, Zimbabwe, August 31, 2025 - In a cricket match that had everything, from an early collapse to a thrilling last-over finish, the performance of Ben Curran stands out as a testament to resilience and fighting spirit. Despite a heartbreaking seven-run loss to Sri Lanka in the first ODI, Curran's composed half-century was the crucial stabilizing force that brought Zimbabwe back into the game and gave the home crowd a genuine reason to believe in a miraculous victory.
The match began in the worst possible way for Zimbabwe. Chasing a challenging total of 298, the home side was rocked by a devastating opening spell from Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando, who claimed two wickets in the very first over, including that of Brendan Taylor, who was making his comeback to the ODI side. With the scoreboard reading 0 for 2, the pressure was immense, and the home team looked destined for a comprehensive defeat.
A Partnership That Turned the Tide
It was in this moment of crisis that Ben Curran, the left-handed batsman, walked to the crease and joined hands with stand-in captain Sean Williams. Both batsmen knew that a quick recovery was paramount. They started cautiously, seeing off the initial burst from the Sri Lankan pacers and prioritizing the preservation of wickets.
As the innings progressed, their confidence grew, and they began to find the boundaries. The partnership was a perfect blend of aggression and caution. Sean Williams, with his natural flair, took on the Sri Lankan spinners, while Ben Curran played the anchor role, rotating the strike and hitting the occasional boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Their partnership was a masterclass in building an innings under pressure. They ran hard between the wickets, converted ones into twos, and ensured that the momentum did not slip away. Curran's knock was particularly impressive; he showed great composure and a strong technique, patiently building his innings. He reached his fifty with a well-timed shot, a milestone that was met with a loud cheer from the home crowd. His partnership with Williams blossomed into a crucial 118-run stand for the third wicket, an effort that single-handedly pulled Zimbabwe back into contention.
A Near-Perfect Chase
While Curran’s fifty was instrumental, the real drama began after his and Williams’s dismissals. With the score at 140 for 4, Zimbabwe's chase looked to be faltering once again. However, the ever-reliable Sikandar Raza and Tony Munyonga then took over. Their brilliant 128-run partnership for the sixth wicket brought Zimbabwe to the cusp of an improbable victory. Raza, in particular, was in sublime form, scoring a magnificent 92 runs from just 87 balls.
With only 10 runs needed off the final over and five wickets in hand, it seemed as if Zimbabwe had done enough. But cricket, as they say, is a game of glorious uncertainties. Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka produced a moment of magic, taking a last-over hat-trick to seal the match for the visitors. The wickets of Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava in three successive balls were a gut-wrenching moment for Zimbabwe and their fans.
A Glimmer of Hope Despite the Loss
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Zimbabwe can take a lot of positives from the match, particularly the performances of Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza. Curran's fifty was a crucial innings that showed his potential as a top-order batsman. It was his ability to absorb pressure and forge a vital partnership that laid the groundwork for the later charge. While the last-over hat-trick will be the enduring memory of the match, it was the valiant fightback led by Curran and Williams that truly made it a thrilling spectacle.
As the teams prepare for the second ODI, Zimbabwe will be looking to build on the positives from the first match. The performance of Ben Curran, who has been in good form since making his ODI debut for Zimbabwe in late 2024, will be a source of confidence. His ability to anchor the innings is a valuable asset, and the team will be relying on him to deliver another strong performance in the must-win second ODI. For now, however, the focus remains on the dramatic finish, and the pivotal role that a resilient fifty by Ben Curran played in bringing Zimbabwe so close to a historic victory
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