AI Simulation, ZIM vs SL | Brilliant Raza breaks Lanka's back to script three-run win in thriller

Pitch and Weather

The deck at Harare Sports Club featured a patch of grass at one end but was largely dry and abrasive, as is the norm. Batting looked easy as long as the ball was hard and new but took little time to offer grip to the spinners, making run scorigng progressively more challenging as the match wore on.

There were clear skies throughout the encounter, with the temperature in the mid 20s and little gales of wind for company.

Toss

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first. 

Lineups

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushanth Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera

Zimbabwe XI: Dion Myers, Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu

Match Report

Zimbabwe got off to a typical sedate start with Dion Myers and Brian Bennett as the duo's focus lay on surviving the swinging new ball rather than exploiting the powerplay. Even so, the duo managed to combine for five boundaries in as many overs to stitch together a 34-run stand before Maheesh Theekshana pegged back Bennett's leg stump to hand the visitors thier first breakthrough. Myers followed suit shortly after, leaving experienced veterans Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams with the responsibility to rebuild the innings. The duo carried out their tasks with aplomb, racking up 33 and 24 runs respectively in a 62-run partnership spanning eight overs to have the Chevrons well stationed for a late burst at 110/4 with four overs to go. Skipper Sikandar Raza needed no second invitation as he clawed into the Lankan pacers, smashing them for three fours and as many maximums in his 23-ball stay to tally 42 runs and take his team to competitive total of 161/6 after 20.

In response, Pathum Nissanka's purple patch continued as the opener struck fours at will with just two fielders outside the circle while his opening partner Kusal Mendis showed a liking for the aerial route. By the time their whirlwind powerplay assault was done, the score read an imposing 55/0 and the Chevrons were severly on the backfoot. Enter Raza again -- in consecutive overs the spinner sent both men packing to instigate a massive lull in scoring rates, paving the way for his pacers to get rid of Kusal Perera and Nuwanidu Fernando in quick succession. However, the all-rounder was not done yet. Raza returned for a third over to get rid of counterpart Charith Asalanka just as he was looking to get set, as the Lankans collapsed from 81 for no loss to 109/5, with over 50 runs still to get in the final five overs. Kamindu Mendis showed some fight with a 15-ball cameo for 26 laced with a couple of big blows but wickets kept tumbling at the other end it eventually boiled down to 12 required in the final over. Raza made the bold call of taking the responsibility himself given only tailenders remained, and despite a maximum from Dushanth Hemantha managed to restrict the Lions three short of their score to seal a famous victory.          

Player of the Match

Sikandar Raza's all-round brilliance secured him yet another man of the match honour in T20Is, with his quickfire 42 ensuring a par score for the hosts before a miserly three-wicket haul strangled the Lions in an intense chase.

Scorecard