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[Saba Sports News] In the decisive third ODI of their series, Sri Lanka faced Zimbabwe at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, January 11. The series was evenly poised after the first ODI was abandoned and Sri Lanka won the second match.
Zimbabwe, batting first after winning the toss, struggled against Sri Lanka’s bowling. Opener Joylord Gumbie scored 29 runs, with Takudzwanashe Kaitano adding 17. However, the rest of the lineup faltered, with only Luke Jongwe and Wellington Masakadza reaching double figures, contributing 14 and 11 runs respectively, leading to a modest total of 96 runs. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga starred with the ball, claiming an impressive seven wickets for just 19 runs in 5.5 overs. Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, and Janith Liyanage each took a wicket.
Chasing a target of 97, Sri Lanka had a shaky start with Avishka Fernando dismissed for a duck. Shevon Daniel contributed 12 runs, but it was captain Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten 66 runs off 51 balls that steered Sri Lanka towards victory.
Sadeera Samarawickrama supported well with an undefeated 14 runs. Sri Lanka reached the target in 16.4 overs, winning by eight wickets. Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava and Wellington Masakadza took a wicket each, but their efforts were insufficient to challenge Sri Lanka’s chase.