Image Credit- Getty
After 54 overs of cricket, Sri Lanka had the upper
hand over Zimbabwe thanks to brilliant century from Charith Asalanka and a
double-wicket maiden from Dilshan Madushanka. However, the first ODI ended in a
draw due to heavy evening rain in Colombo.
Four overs into the chase, rain finally arrived after
threatening all afternoon. At that moment, Madushanka’s new-ball spell had just
removed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Craig Ervine for ducks, leaving Zimbabwe
reeling at 12 for 2, needing 274 to win.
However, Asalanka’s innings of 95 off of balls was the
most impressive of the day due to his patience as well as his ability to make
good shots. Because hitters were consistently circling him and no genuine
relationships were developing, Asalanka had to slow down and control his
aggression until he finally felt that the time had arrived.
With 13 overs remaining, he was on 52 when No. 8
Maheesh Theekshana joined him. By deftly rotating the strike and selecting the
perfect balls to attack, he and Theekshana went on to form a partnership of 23
and 52, respectively. During that time, Asalanka made all four of his sixes and
led Sri Lanka to a respectable 273 for 9.
Zimbabwe’s spinners and left-arm seamer Richard
Ngarava made an impression before Asalanka took front stage. Using the new
ball, Ngarava exploited the annoying off-stump channel, accounting for a duck
from Avishka Fernando and a 41 from Sadeera Samarawickrama.
On his ODI debut, offspinner Tapiwa Mufudza, who
finished his ten-over spell with none for 37, found turn throughout the
afternoon. Tapiwa Mufudza was the best wicket-taker in Zimbabwe’s recent Pro50
tournament.
Blessing Muzarabani, who used his height to push Sri
Lanka’s lower-order batters and add dots, had a solid spell that saw him end
with 2 for 62.
On Monday, the second ODI will take place at the same
location.