Madushanka’s hat-trick heroics see Sri Lanka hold off hosts Zimbabwe

HARARE (Agencies): Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka took a last-over hat-trick to steer the tourists to a dramatic seven-run victory over Zimbabwe in their first One-Day International at the Harare Sports Club on Friday. Zimbabwe needed 10 runs off the last over to win as they chased down an imposing 299-run target, but Madushanka bowled Sikandar Raza for 92 with the first ball of the over and then had Brad Evans caught as he scooped the next ball to fine leg. The third ball of the over saw Madushanka bowl Richard Ngarava middle stump. He conceded only two runs off the last three balls to ensure a narrow win as Zimbabwe finished on 291-8 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 298-6. Sri Lanka, who were put in to bat, piled on the runs near the end of their innings as Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendes led a recovery after they were reduced to 161-5 with 13 overs remaining.

Liyanage hit 70 not out off 47 balls and Kamindu 57 off 36 as they added 137 runs off 83 balls to set a daunting total for Zimbabwe to chase. The home side’s bid began disastrously as they lost their first two wickets in four balls, without scoring, but stand-in captain Sean Williams and Ben Curran put on 118 runs for the third wicket to give the home fans hope. Curran scored 70 but it was a 128-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Raza and Tony Munyonga, who was 43 not out, that took Zimbabwe close before Madushanka’s heroics. The Sri Lanka speedster ended with figures of 4-62. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine was ruled out of the series after a calf tear on Thursday, with Williams taking over as skipper. The last of the two-match ODI series is being played on Sunday followed by three Twenty20 internationals.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 298 for 6 (Nissanka 76, Liyanage 70 not out, Kamindu 57, Ngarava 2-34) beat Zimbabwe 291 for 8 (Raza 92, Curran 70, Williams 57, Madushanka 4-62, Fernando 3-50) by seven runs.