SL VS ZIM 1ST T20I

Right then, that’s it from this thriller of a contest but there’s plenty more action coming your way in the remaining two T20Is in the series. The second T20I will be played at the same venue and that game will start at 7.00 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT). But as you know, you can always join in early for the build-up. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

The victorious skipper of Sri Lanka Wanindu Hasaranga says the bowlers did well but the batters needed to be a bit more clinical. Adds that the ball was turning so he and Maheesh Theekshana took good use of the conditions. Adds that they have a balanced side with quality finishers in Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka and himself down the order as finishers so they would like the middle-order to take the game a bit closer from next time.

Skipper of Zimbabwe Sikandar Raza says that he is proud of his side and the way they played this game. Adds that he is still very confident his team will change the fortune of Zimbabwean cricket. He also mentioned that 145 looked to be a decent score on the pitch and they managed nearly that. Credits the Lankans players for the way the hosts handled the pressure right at the end. Closes by saying that he would personally be happy when his team wins and there is no enjoyment until they turn the ship around which they have promised the Zimbabean fans back at their home.

Angelo Mathews is the player of the match for his brilliant all-round performance. He is up for a quick chat and says he felt like playing his debut being in the side after 3 long years and he felt that the wicket was a bit on the slower side and the set batters needed to bat deep. Adds that Sikandar Raza played a brilliant game of cricket but ended on the wrong side of the game but such stuff happens. Mentions that they needed to keep rotating the strike in between the boundary deliveries and they managed to do that relatively well.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Zimbabwe posted a total of 143 thanks to their skipper Sikandar Raza who was brilliant with the bat as he scored 62 runs for his side. The batters did get starts but couldn't capitalize as wickets kept tumbling regularly. The bowling from the hosts was good too but in bits and pieces. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana picked up a couple each while Dushmantha Chameera accompanied them with a wicket to his name.

The bowling from Zimbabwe was good for the majority of the game but they faltered when it mattered the most. The last 61 runs came off just 36 deliveries and that proved costly for the visitors. Skipper Sikandar Raza was the pick of the bowlers as he took 3 and gave away just 13 from his 4 overs but that wasn't enough as others did chip in with wickets but leaked away way too many at the end.

Chasing a tricky total Sri Lanka got off to a horrific start as well as they lost 3 inside the powerplay. The side kept losing wickets regularly but did not let the run rate drop for the majority of the game. The hosts though lost their way in the middle phase of the game only to bounce back and get over the line with a late surge in the death overs. A brilliant late surge from Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka kept the hopes alive for Sri Lanka as they managed to put together 55 runs of 36 deliveries. Once the hosts lost the veteran Angelo Mathews it was the bowling all-rounder who managed to score those lusty blows right at the end that earned his side 6 runs in total which were enough for them to get over the line. Angelo Mathews played a decisive knock of 46 while he was well complimented by a timely cameo of 26 from 18 by Dasun Shanaka. Sri Lanka takes the lead in this 3-match T20I series as they win the first one.

From being dead and buried it is Sri Lanka that fights back and gets over the line in a nailbiter as they win by 3 wickets on the final delivery of this game.

Sri Lanka WIN! They needed 2 runs off the final ball and Dushmantha Chameera has done it! Slower length ball around off, Dushmantha Chameera goes through with the shot and heaves it toward the mid-wicket region. The ball lands away from the fielder and the batters complete the second. Sri Lanka chased this down off the final ball and win by 3 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.

FOUR! Sri Lanka are alive as they need 2 off the last delivery. Short-pitched body bound, Dushmantha Chameera swings at it and catches the outside edge lobbing it over the keeper for a boundary behind the wicket. It landed inches inside the boundary line.

OUT! This game is swinging like a pendulum. Good-length delivery in the line of stumps, Angelo Mathews moves a bit too much to his leg as he throws his bat at it and single-handedly lofts this down the throat of Wellington Masakadza at the deep mid-wicket fence. Sri Lanka needs 6 off the last 2.

A dot is as worthy as gold here. Short-pitched delivery on middle, Angelo Mathews looks to shuffle and strike but fails to get any part of his bat behind this one.

FOUR! Resounding Premadasa, to say the least. Back of a length angling in towards the batter, Angelo Mathews moves to his leg and opens the bat face running it down the fence at third man for a boundary. Sri Lanka are one hit away from victory now.

FOUR! Perfect start to the over for Lanka. Over-pitched around middle and leg, Angelo Mathews thump it back past the bowler for a boundary straight down the ground. 10 needed now.

14 needed off the last over.

FOUR! Dasun Shanaka delivers! The ex-captain is proving something for the team! Fuller delivery on middle. Dasun Shanaka shuffles and scoops it over the short fine for a boundary.