Madushanka Hat-trick Saves Sri Lanka in 1st ODI Thriller
In a pulsating one-day international at the Harare Sports Club, Sri Lanka snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, beating a resilient Zimbabwe side by a mere seven runs. The match, a showcase of fluctuating fortunes and individual brilliance, will be remembered for years to come, thanks to the heroic efforts of young Sri Lankan left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka. With Zimbabwe needing just 10 runs from the final over, and the in-form Sikandar Raza at the crease, the odds were heavily stacked against the visitors. But in a stunning display of skill and nerves, Madushanka delivered a last-over hat-trick, single-handedly turning the tide and sealing a memorable win for Sri Lanka.
The victory not only gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the two-match ODI series, but it also provides a massive boost of confidence for the team, which is on its first tour to Zimbabwe since 2008. The match was a perfect advertisement for the ODI format, with both teams pushing each other to the limit in a high-scoring encounter that went down to the final ball.
Sri Lanka's Innings: A Tale of Two Halves
Having won the toss, Zimbabwe's stand-in captain Sean Williams opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit any early moisture in the pitch. The decision seemed to pay off immediately, as Sri Lanka’s opener Nishan Madushka was dismissed for a duck, clean bowled by the in-form Richard Ngarava. However, this early setback did not deter the visiting side.
A solid partnership of 100 runs for the second wicket between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis laid the foundation for a formidable total. Nissanka was the aggressor, playing a fluent innings of 76 runs from 92 balls, adorned with 12 elegant boundaries. Kusal Mendis provided excellent support, scoring a composed 38 runs. Their partnership brought Sri Lanka back on track, but a mini-collapse soon followed, as the Sri Lankan middle-order struggled against Zimbabwe's spin attack. Sadeera Samarawickrama and captain Charith Asalanka were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Sri Lanka at a precarious 161 for 5 after 36 overs.
Just when Zimbabwe thought they had the game in their grasp, Sri Lanka's lower middle-order launched a breathtaking counter-attack. A sensational 137-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis turned the game on its head. Both batsmen played with remarkable freedom and power. Janith Liyanage, in particular, was magnificent, smashing an unbeaten 70 runs off just 47 balls, which included six fours and three towering sixes. Kamindu Mendis, on the other hand, scored a blistering 57 runs off 36 balls before being dismissed off the last ball of the innings by Richard Ngarava. Their explosive partnership propelled Sri Lanka to a commanding total of 298 for 6, a score that looked out of reach for much of the middle overs.
Zimbabwe's Gallant Chase
Chasing a challenging target of 299, Zimbabwe's innings began in the worst possible way. In a sensational opening spell, Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando, who also played a crucial role at the end, delivered a double blow in the very first over, dismissing Brian Bennett and the returning veteran Brendan Taylor, who was making his first ODI appearance since 2021. This left Zimbabwe reeling at 0 for 2, and the chase seemed to be over before it had even begun.
However, the home side showed remarkable character and resilience. Ben Curran and Sean Williams stitched together a crucial 118-run partnership for the third wicket, providing a much-needed sense of calm. Both batsmen reached their half-centuries, with Ben Curran scoring a solid 70 and Sean Williams contributing a quick-fire 57. Their partnership not only stabilized the innings but also brought Zimbabwe right back into the contest.
After their dismissals, it was the turn of Sikandar Raza to step up. The experienced all-rounder, known for his ability to perform under pressure, took charge of the chase. He found an excellent partner in Tony Munyonga, and the duo formed a brilliant 128-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Raza played a magnificent innings, scoring 92 runs from 87 balls, with eight boundaries. He was a picture of composure, rotating the strike and finding the boundaries when needed, bringing Zimbabwe to the very brink of victory. With only 10 runs required from the final over and five wickets in hand, the Harare crowd was ready to celebrate a famous victory.
The Final Over: A Moment of Pure Drama
The stage was set for a grandstand finish. With the pressure mounting, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka handed the ball to Dilshan Madushanka, who had had an otherwise decent but not spectacular day with the ball. The task was simple but monumental: defend 10 runs against the well-set Sikandar Raza.
The first ball of the final over proved to be the turning point of the entire match. Madushanka bowled a perfectly pitched delivery that went across Raza. The Zimbabwean batsman, in an attempt to scoop it, missed the ball completely, and the middle stump was uprooted. The crowd was silenced. Raza, dejected, walked back to the pavilion, his brilliant innings of 92 coming to a heartbreaking end.
The momentum had swung dramatically. With a new batsman at the crease, Brad Evans, Madushanka followed up his heroics with another exceptional delivery. Evans attempted to scoop the ball over short fine leg but failed to get the elevation, and the ball was caught by a diving Asitha Fernando. Two balls, two wickets.
The stadium was now buzzing with nervous energy. On strike was the new batsman, Richard Ngarava. With a chance at a hat-trick, Madushanka ran in and bowled a full delivery that once again hit the stumps, clean-bowling Ngarava. The celebrations erupted. The entire Sri Lankan team mobbed Madushanka in a state of pure euphoria. He had done it. A hat-trick at the most crucial moment of the game.
His final bowling figures were an impressive 4 for 62 from his 10 overs. The hat-trick was the eighth by a Sri Lankan bowler in ODIs, a testament to his talent and composure under pressure. After the match, a visibly ecstatic Madushanka said, "I am just so happy to do this on my comeback. Very happy that we executed our collective plans at the death.”
Conclusion: A Thrilling Start to the Series
The first ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe was a classic encounter, a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket. It had everything: a strong comeback, a record-breaking partnership, a nail-biting finish, and a heroic performance that will be etched in the memories of fans for a long time. While Zimbabwe will rue the missed opportunity, they can take heart from the performances of Sikandar Raza, Ben Curran, and Sean Williams, who fought valiantly until the very end.
For Sri Lanka, the victory is a massive confidence booster ahead of the second and final ODI of the series. The performances of Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage, and Kamindu Mendis with the bat, and the brilliant final-over heroics of Dilshan Madushanka with the ball, show that the team has the talent and the temperament to win under pressure. With the series on the line, the second ODI promises to be another thrilling contest between these two passionate teams
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