Harare, August 31 2025:
Pathum Nissanka struck a composed century as Sri Lanka chased down 278 with three balls to spare, sealing a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe and a 2-0 sweep in the one-day international series on Sunday.
Nissanka anchored the innings with 122 off 136 balls — his seventh ODI hundred — and shared key partnerships throughout, including a 90-run stand with captain Charith Asalanka, who made a brisk 71 from 61 deliveries. Their partnership kept Sri Lanka ahead in the chase despite some late jitters.
Sri Lanka required 12 off the last two overs but lost Asalanka to a misjudged catch at deep midwicket. Kamindu Mendis then guided them home with a streaky boundary in the penultimate over before victory was sealed with three balls left.
The visitors’ chase mirrored Zimbabwe’s batting effort — steady in the middle overs but finishing in tense fashion. Where Zimbabwe had faltered late in the first ODI, Sri Lanka kept wickets in hand and held their nerve this time.
Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 277 for 7 after being sent in, with Ben Curran top-scoring with 79 and Sikandar Raza adding an unbeaten 59. Curran and Brendan Taylor (20) put on 61 for the second wicket, but their slow scoring allowed Sri Lanka to regain control. Dushmantha Chameera led the bowling with 3 for 52.
Raza’s late acceleration, including a 76-run sixth-wicket stand with Clive Madande (36), lifted Zimbabwe to a competitive total. They struck 83 runs in the final 10 overs but couldn’t defend it against Nissanka’s controlled knock.
Nissanka was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, after back-to-back match-winning contributions.
Sri Lanka will next turn their focus to the T20I series starting later this week.
Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by five wickets
Zimbabwe 277-7, 50 overs (Curran 79, Raza 59*, Chameera 3-52)
Sri Lanka 278-5, 49.3 overs (Nissanka 122, Asalanka 71, Ngarava 2-53)
