In the series decider between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka emerged victorious by 9 wickets. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to bowl first at their home turf.
Zimbabwe Innings
The Zimbabwean innings was a struggle as they managed to score only 82 runs in 14.1 overs. Brian Bennett was the top scorer with 29 runs off 12 balls, but the rest of the batting order found it challenging to face the Sri Lankan bowlers.
For Sri Lanka, skipper Wanindu Hasaranga picked up 4 wickets in his quota of four overs, while all-rounder Angelo Mathews claimed 2 wickets for 15.
Sri Lanka Innings
Chasing a paltry target, Sri Lanka comfortably reached 88/1 in 10.5 overs. Pathum Nissanka top-scored with an explosive 39 not out off 23 balls, well supported by Kusal Mendis (33 off 27) and Dhananjaya de Silva (15 not out). The Sri Lankan batters dominated the Zimbabwean bowlers, sealing the victory with ease.
Player of the Match
Wanindu Hasaranga’s brilliance earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
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Here’s how Twitter reacted:
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 doing what he does best 🪄 🎩#DesertVipers #SLvZIM #FangsOut #WaninduHasaranga pic.twitter.com/MQVTHTEJFq
— Desert Vipers (@TheDesertVipers) January 18, 2024
T20i Series Winners – 🇱🇰🏆#sportspavilionlk #SLvsZIM #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/UULLSNLixb
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) January 18, 2024
A complete performance seals the series! Stellar bowling & clinical batting secure a commanding 9-wicket victory for Sri Lanka!
We lift the T20I trophy 2-1!🏆 🇱🇰
#SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/5bwgEN6KBk
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 18, 2024
I hope this convincing win doesn’t mask the fact that we were extremely mediocre throughout & nowhere close to where we should be. The Afg series will be an acid test, testing all the inadequacies. A win that thankfully averted the unthinkable. pic.twitter.com/w8BIglcl9u
— Aravinthan Arunthavanathan (@Cricket_decoded) January 18, 2024
Definitely. This win doesn’t mean much. We need to win more consistently, more convincingly.
For the record our batting line up still lacks fire power for the modern game. @OfficialSLC #SLvsZIM https://t.co/WmOZJlkLcq— Devon De Vesser (@devondevesser_) January 18, 2024
Angelo Mathews was already having a party in the powerplay overs.
He has the 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 (6.01) and the 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 (30 wickets) for Sri Lanka bowling at least 20+ overs in the Powerplay. #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/sLG1pc56lJ
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) January 18, 2024
C H A M P I O N S 🏆🎉#SLvsZIM #SriLanka #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/qwaTmYz3Oh
— Imtiyaj Rizwan (@Imtiyajrizwann) January 18, 2024
📸 Post Match Presentation #sportspavilionlk #SLvsZIM #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/359F7sw0Bl
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) January 18, 2024
Celebrating a stellar start to 2024! Congratulations to the Sri Lankan Cricket Team on clinching their first series win of the year against Zimbabwe. Here’s to many more victories!
Dialog – Official Sponsor of the National Cricket Team#Dialog #ApeKollo #SLvsZIM pic.twitter.com/4hh537wnA6
— Dialog Axiata (@dialoglk) January 18, 2024
