Nissanka's 122 Leads Sri Lanka to 2-0 Series Sweep : 2nd ODI Match Reports & Stats
Sri Lanka 278 for 5 (Nissanka 122, Asalanka 71, Ngarava 2-53) beat Zimbabwe 277 for 7 (Curran 79, Raza 59*, Chameera 3-52) by five wickets.
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Player of the Series: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka chased 278 in Harare and sealed the series 2-0. The visitors won with five wickets in hand and three balls to spare. Pathum Nissanka was the star with a calm and classy 122, while captain Charith Asalanka added a rapid 71. For Zimbabwe, Ben Curran’s 79 and Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 59 kept them competitive, but Sri Lanka handled the pressure better in the end.
How the Chase Unfolded
From the start, Nissanka looked solid. He played proper shots, took singles when needed, and put away loose balls. He built partnerships at every stage—first steady stands, then a big one with Asalanka that opened the game. Even when boundaries dried up late, Sri Lanka did not panic. Two fours in the 48th over reduced the ask to a run-a-ball finish.
In the 49th over, Asalanka found a boundary but fell soon after for a crucial 71 off 61. Kamindu Mendis then edged a pinpoint yorker for four to bring the target within reach. With wickets in hand and a deep batting line-up, Sri Lanka closed it out without fuss.
Nissanka’s Match-Winning Hundred
Nissanka’s 122 off 136 balls was a textbook one-day innings. He set the tone in the powerplay with timely boundaries, then shifted to rotation in the middle overs. Whenever the game slowed, he found a boundary to release the pressure. A chance was dropped when he was on 78, but otherwise he was in full control. His calm batting earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Asalanka’s Impact in the Middle Overs
Asalanka’s 71 came at just the right tempo. He partnered Nissanka for a 90-run stand at a touch over a run a ball, which broke Zimbabwe’s grip on the game. He also lifted the rate with a burst—three boundaries in the 40th over off Blessing Muzarabani—ensuring Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the asking rate.
Zimbabwe’s Fight: Curran and Raza
Zimbabwe posted 277 for 7 on a fresh surface that looked good for batting. Ben Curran top-scored with 79 off 95, starting brightly with nine boundaries. His flow slowed in the middle overs, especially during a quiet stand with Brendan Taylor, but he still laid a base. In the finish, Sikandar Raza took charge with an unbeaten 59 off 55. His partnership of 76 with Clive Madande (36 off 36) and sharp running at the death pushed Zimbabwe to a fighting total.
Middle Overs: The Real Difference
This match turned in the middle overs. Between the 15th and 40th overs, Zimbabwe made 139 for 4. Sri Lanka, in the same phase, scored 166 for 3—twenty-seven runs more and one wicket fewer. That cushion meant Sri Lanka needed only 67 off the last 10 with seven wickets in hand, while Zimbabwe had to scramble late to touch 277.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Highlights
Dushmantha Chameera led the attack with 3 for 52, striking at key moments and checking Zimbabwe’s momentum. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga squeezed the middle overs with tight lines, which set up the chase. Asitha Fernando’s short-ball plan worked against both Curran and Sean Williams, turning the innings in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Zimbabwe’s Best with the Ball
Richard Ngarava was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with 2 for 53. He nailed his yorkers at the death and kept Sri Lanka honest during the tense finish. Blessing Muzarabani had his moments too, but Sri Lanka’s set batters handled the key overs better.
Key Moments You Should Know
- Nissanka dropped on 78—Sri Lanka capitalised and stayed ahead.
- Asalanka’s three boundaries in the 40th over—momentum shift in the chase.
- Chameera’s crucial strikes—Zimbabwe checked just when they wanted to accelerate.
- Raza’s late surge—kept Zimbabwe competitive but not beyond reach.
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 278/5 | Nissanka 122, Asalanka 71; Ngarava 2-53 |
| Zimbabwe | 277/7 | Curran 79, Raza 59*; Chameera 3-52 |
Stats & Records
- Most ODI runs for Sri Lanka after 70 innings:
- Pathum Nissanka – 2690 runs
- Charith Asalanka – 2621 runs
Why This Win Matters for Sri Lanka
A 2-0 sweep brings belief and balance. Sri Lanka have often struggled with consistency, but this performance showed control with the ball, composure with the bat, and smart decision-making in crunch moments. Young players stepped up, the middle order supported the anchor, and the finishing was calm.
Final Word
This was a well-earned away win. Sri Lanka managed the chase like a top side—steady at the start, sensible in the middle, and secure at the end. Zimbabwe showed heart through Curran and Raza, but the middle-overs gap proved decisive. With Nissanka in form and Asalanka leading with intent, Sri Lanka look set for bigger tests with confidence.
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