By Srian Obeyesrkere
Dilshan Madushanka bowled Sri Lanka to a dramatic last over dream hat-trick 7 run triumph over a gallant Zimbabwe that caved in needing 10 runs from the last over chasing Sri Lanka’s 298 for 8 as the left arm quick produced a devastating lightning fast now or never bout to stopping a great Zimbabwean gallop as the host country belied a declined ODI image in rising to the big challenge. Madushanka ended a threatening 138 run partnership between a high riding Sikandar Raza on the brink of a century sent back by a delivery that shatteredf his middle stump and next ball had Brad Adams caught at fine leg before the final lethal delivery that knocked over Richard Ngarava’s stumps in an over the moon champagne finish from the jaws of defeat.
Zimbabwe’s final score stood at 291 for 8 from 49.3 overs in a showdown that Sri Lanka had posted a highly challenging 298 for 6 off the 50 on the early fireworks of Pathum Nissanka 76 off 92 with 12 boundaries in negating the loss of Nishan Madushanka for a duck before a final sixth wicket 137 charge by Janith Liyanage 70 off 47 heightened by 3 sixes and 6 boundaries, and Kamindu Mendis who rose to hid true stature from a lean run striking 57 off 36r slamming 2 over the top and 4 across in arresting a 5 for 161 decline into 36.1 overs. Mendis was bowled by Ngarava off the final delivery attempting a cross shot. The innings had been propped up upfront by Kusal Mendis 38 off 63 reaching the ropes thrice, and Sadera Samarawickrama 35 off 40 tucked by 5 boundaries on a day skipper Charith Asalanka fell for 6 before Liyanage and Kamindu came to the show slap bang 137 off 83 balls.
But Zimbabwe, who had opted to bowl on winning the toss, hit back riding to 118 for 3 despite a 2 for 0 hiccup when Asitha Fernando removed Brian Bennett and Brendan Taylor for a first over ducks in the space of four balls by a Wesley Madhevere a brave 58 before Sikandar Raza stepped in with that final surgey together with Tony Munyonga continuing the thrust by a compelling 43.
But it was not to be as Sri Lankan quick Dilshan Madushanka let all hell loose by his record thunderbolt hat-trick to put Sri Lanka 1-up in the 2-match series.
From a personal perspective. the day belonged to Madushanka who turned the game on its head.
Bravado, Madushanka at his deadliest best. Raza gone trying to scoop the ball fot 92 off 86 and with his mighty 128 game turning partnership with Tony Munyonga crushed in the very glee of it in that mighty reversal great innings. but strangled by the Lankan thunderbolt like a warrior. A sixth wicket century bonding victory road had been thus extinguished akin to a warring chariot race that had brought the host country so close, but yet so far a tragic ending.
With Raza’s exit, the race for Madushanka was yet not over in setting the demon on Zimbabwe in full force for those last two wickets as he rose to the mighty challengl for a famous comebackc hurray for self and country.
Madushanka indeed turned the showdown at the very edge into the very heat of that slogan of sweat, blood and tears as the left armer tore through that last wall with Zimbabwe still in the game needing 8 off 5, the next being Brad Evans scooping the next delivery to short fine leg, and when. Richard Ngarava had his stumps disturbed sweeping across the line in the hat-trick ball certainly all hell broke loose at the Harare venue. Dilshan Madushanka had bowled himself into the hat-trick record books of ODI cricket with a 4 for 62 haul in a significant leap from the oblivion of a lean run since his record 21 wickets at the 2023 world cup despite Sri Lanka’s disastrous exit. He was well backed by Asitha Fernando 3 for 50.
Sri Lanka 298 for 6 (Nissanka 76, Liyanage 70*, Kamindu 57, Ngarava 2-34) beat Zimbabwe 291 for 8 (Raza 92, Curran 70, Williams 57, Madushanka 4-62, Fernando 3-50) by seven runs
