The Lankan boys pose with the Trophy. Sri Lanka's bigger goal was to prepare for the Asia Cup which will be played in the T20 format. So, despite winning the ODI series, Sri Lanka will look to sharpen their tools for the T20I series. Three T20 games ahead of the Asia Cup will be ideal preparation for the Island nation. Till it starts, they can rejoice this ODI series win. Time for us to say bye bye. We will be back soon with more cricketing action.
Charith Asalanka: Pleasure to have a win in Zimbabwe. Both teams fought well. Just do the basics right. The boys did well. Nissanka scored the 100 that was needed. Very impressive. The young boys have been performing well for the A side. I said to the boys, specially to Nissanka to hit the gaps and run hard. We have supporters everywhere.
Pathum Nissanka, Player of the Match and Player of the Series: I was short of runs. But glad to make a comeback in this format. Wanted to do well for the team. So, I managed to score runs. In the powerplay, it was not easy with two experienced bowlers bowling.
Sean Williams: Was a tough one to swallow. Could have been 1-1. Could have been 2-0. The series result could have been different. The middle overs we could have done better. We tried to tighten the screws. Small little chances make a lot of difference at the end of the day.
17:30 Local Time, 15:30 GMT, 21:00 IST: Sri Lanka have taken the series 2-0 but they again were pushed to their limits. They had won the 1st ODI by 7 runs and today the game went into the final over. 278 was the target and it looked lesser. But Zimbabwe never allowed Lanka to get away despite Nissanka getting a ton. It was left to skipper Asalanka to produce a tough knock and take his team over the line. He though fell with 6 needed to win. Zimbabwe needed a few wickets in the middle overs but it never came and that I guess handicapped them a little.
Muzarabani to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run, dug in short, Kamindu Mendis hops and pulls it behind square on the leg-side. Sri Lanka win by 5 wickets and seal the series 2-0
Muzarabani to Janith Liyanage, 1 run, slower, wider and on a length, Liyanage reaches out and stabs it to the right of cover who makes a diving stop. Scores level
Muzarabani to Janith Liyanage, no run, hard length slanting in, Liyanage looks to heave it away and misses
Just 2 required off the final over. Six fielders inside the circle
Ngarava to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR, wow! Ngarava goes for the yorker, ends up being a low full toss. Kamindu Mendis plays a premeditated shot. Attempts the reverse-sweep/scoop and gets an inside edge that goes fine of the short third man fielder. 10 runs off the over
Kamindu Mendis, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Ngarava to Asalanka, out Caught by Brian Bennett!! Ngarava gets his man but this could be too late. Short ball from the left-armer, Asalanka is late on the pull and top-edges. Bennett runs in from deep midwicket to pouch it safely. Asalanka c Brian Bennett b Ngarava 71(61) [4s-7]
Ngarava to Asalanka, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
Ngarava to Asalanka, FOUR, full outside off, Asalanka clears his front leg and throws the kitchen sink at it to slice it over point. It's a chance but Madhevere over-runs coming in and he can't recover in time. Tries to leap to his left and catch it but only got fingertips on it. To make matters worse for Zimbabwe, the ball runs away for four. Ngarava is down on his haunches
Ngarava to Janith Liyanage, 1 run, very full, Liyanage goes deep to drill it through the off-side and outside-halves it to cover
Ngarava to Asalanka, 1 run, another yorker, attacks the stumps on this occasion, Asalanka makes room to squeeze it to sweeper cover
Ngarava to Asalanka, no run, pacy yorker, Asalanka moves leg-side to flick and the ball goes between his boots
Equation: 12 runs | 12 balls.
Muzarabani to Janith Liyanage, FOUR, slower ball on a short of length outside off, Liyanage spots it, waits and flays it superbly over extra cover. One bounce and into the fence. Almost went all the way. 10 runs off the over
Muzarabani to Janith Liyanage, no run, slower ball on a short of length, Liyanage cuts and misses