Sri Lanka eye strong start as Zimbabwe seek breakthrough

RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka will launch their Tri-Series campaign against Zimbabwe on Thursday (today), seeking to make an early statement in what promises to be an intense spectacle at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Zimbabwe, already battle-hardened after their spirited performance against Pakistan in Wednesday’s opener, enter the contest with plenty of positives despite falling agonisingly short. They stayed in the hunt for most of the match and even had Pakistan under pressure before lapses in the field proved costly.

One of the defining moments came when Brad Evans grounded a straightforward catch off Mohammad Nawaz at a crucial juncture, allowing Pakistan to regain momentum and eventually seal a win that had once appeared to be slipping away.

“We failed to seize our chances again,” Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza admitted after the match. “We were 15 to 20 runs short of a strong total, and though we had Pakistan’s batting under control for long periods, we let them off the hook. But the best of Zimbabwe is yet to come. The other teams have been playing here for weeks, we’re still adjusting. You will see better, more competitive cricket from us in the coming days.”

Evans echoed his captain’s optimism, stressing that one breakthrough win could spark a turnaround. “We just need that one big victory against a top side,” he said. “Once we get that, closing out tight games will become easier. That’s the barrier we’re determined to break in this Tri-Series.”

He credited Zimbabwe’s openers for their blistering 72-run stand and lauded Raza’s fighting effort with the bat. “Even with the ball, we were in control at key stages, but a few missed chances pulled us back.”

Both teams trained under lights on Wednesday, fine-tuning their plans for what is expected to be a tactical contest. Sri Lanka will rely heavily on their spin arsenal. Dushmantha Chameera’s pace will spearhead the attack, while leg-spinner Viyaskanth, along with all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushan Hemantha, are expected to play pivotal roles. Captain Dasun Shanaka, himself a dependable all-rounder, is confident of a strong outing.

“This series is essential for us, it gives us clarity on where we stand,” Shanaka said. “To win it, we must deliver our best cricket. Pakistan and Zimbabwe both have match-winners who can turn games instantly. We’ll need complete performances across all departments to lift the trophy.” The Rawalpindi pitch for Thursday’s match is expected to be easier-paced compared to the one used for the opening fixture, offering better rhythm for batters.