By Srian Obeyesekere

Wanindu Hasaranga, who was a conspicuous missing link during Sri Lanka’s world cup debacle due to an ankle injury, marked his return to international cricket after a six-month long absence to send Zimbabwe tumbling to an 8-wicket defeat claiming career best figures of 7 wickets for 19 runs off 5.5 overs as Sri Lanka galloped to the 97=run target in 16.4 overs with skipper Kusal Mendis leading from the front with an emphatic unbeaten 66 off 51 balls filled with 9 boundaries and a six in yesterday’s rain hit third day/night ODI to take the 3-match series 2-0, the opener having being rained off at the R. Premadasa International Stadium.

Player of the Match Hasaranga was virtually unplayable with the Zimbabweans unable to read his swift variation as four of his victims, including opener Joylord Gumble and skipper Craig Ervine were trapped plumb leg before wicket by his main weaponry googlie. He beat his previous best figures of 6 for 24 in what was his third 5-wicket take at that level.

Sri Lanka’s run chase did suffer the early setback of Avishka Fernando following his bad series run falling for his second duck to Richard Ngarava who had him caught behind by Gumble.

Mendis, who reverted to his pet No.3 position put on 73 for the second wicket with debutant Shevon Daniel off 72 balls with the newcomer hanging around for 12 off 28 with a boundary.

Janith Liyanage was asdjudged Player of the Series.

CHIEF SCORES: Zimbabwe 96 (22.5 Overs)

(Joylord Gumbe 29 34 4, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 17,   Luke Jongwe 14, Wellington Masakadza 11, Kikandar Raza 10,  Wanindu Hasaranga 7/19, Maheesh Theekshana 1/15, Janith Liyanage 1/17, Dilshan Madushanka 1/31)

Sri Lanka 97/2 (16.4 Overs)

(Kusal Mendis n.o. 66 51 9 1, Aadeera Samarawickrama n.o. 14 17 1, Shevon Daniel 12 28 1, Richard Ngarava 1/20)