ZIMBABWE bowled with discipline and intensity to bundle out Sri Lanka for just 80 before overcoming a few jitters with the bat to claim a five-wicket win in the second T20 international at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. The result tied the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a winner-takes-all decider on Sunday.
Put in to field first, Zimbabwe struck immediately. Blessing Muzarabani’s opening over produced the breakthrough as Kusal Mendis (1) slashed at a rising ball and Richard Ngarava snapped up a sharp catch at third man. Brad Evans then removed Pathum Nissanka (8) with Tony Munyonga pulling off a low grab, before Muzarabani struck again to dismiss Nuwanidu Fernando (1), leaving the visitors reeling at 24 for three.
Kamil Mishara briefly steadied things with a run-a-ball 20, but Evans produced a pinpoint yorker to end his stay. From there, skipper Sikandar Raza took control, trapping Kamindu Mendis lbw for a duck before bowling Charith Asalanka (18) and Dushmantha Chameera in the same over. Sri Lanka slipped to 66 for eight and never recovered.
Dasun Shanaka (15) was dismissed by Sean Williams after a superb catch by Tinotenda Maposa, while the last two wickets fell in quick succession – a run-out of Dushan Hemantha and Maheesh Theekshana’s (6) dismissal to Evans. Sri Lanka’s innings closed at 80 all out in 17.4 overs, their lowest T20 total against Zimbabwe.
It was a complete team effort with the ball: Raza finished with 3 for 11, Evans 3 for 15, and Muzarabani 2 for 14, while Ngarava conceded only 11 runs in his two overs.
Zimbabwe’s reply began confidently as Brian Bennett (19) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (17) added 20 for the first wicket. But a double strike from Dushmantha Chameera in the fourth over – removing Marumani and Sean Williams for a duck – rattled the hosts. When captain Raza (2) chopped on and Bennett fell to Binura Fernando’s sharp return catch, Zimbabwe were 53 for four.
Tony Munyonga’s lbw dismissal soon after left the score at 61 for five, but Ryan Burl and Tashinga Musekiwa calmly shut the door on any Sri Lankan comeback. Burl played sensibly for an unbeaten 20 off 22 balls, while Musekiwa injected urgency with 21 not out from just 14 deliveries, sealing the chase with back-to-back boundaries.
Zimbabwe reached 84 for five in 14.2 overs, completing a morale-boosting victory.
The series now moves to a decisive finale at Harare Sports Club on Sunday, where both sides will fight for bragging rights.
