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Thursday March 28, 2024

Perera halts Sri Lanka slide with win over Zimbabwe

By AFP
January 22, 2018

DHAKA: Thisara Perera starred with bat and ball as Sri Lanka ended their recent dismal run by beating Zimbabwe by five wickets in the tri-nation One-day International (ODI) tournament here on Sunday.

Perera claimed four wickets to lead an inspired Sri Lankan bowling attack that limited Zimbabwe to 198 all out before his unbeaten 39 helped the islanders to chase down their target in 44.5 overs.

Sri Lanka were in trouble at 145-5 before skipper Dinesh Chandimal (38 not out) and Perera put on an unbeaten 57-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Perera, who bats left-handed, sealed the win with a six to keep Sri Lanka’s tournament hopes alive after they lost against Zimbabwe and hosts Bangladesh.

Zimbabwe paceman Blessing Muzarabani claimed three wickets to rattle the Sri Lankan top-order after opener Kusal Perera’s dominating 49. But the day belonged to Thisara Perera, who soon took the attack to the opposition with his 26-ball knock that was laced with a four and 3 sixes.

Chandimal, leading the side in place of injured Angelo Mathews, played the sheet anchor’s role to perfection during his 71-ball stay.

Earlier Perera ran through the Zimbabwe top-order, grabbing the most vital wicket of Brendan Taylor, who top-scored with 58 before his side were bowled out in 44 overs.

The 28-year old Perera, who bowls medium-pace, was ably supported by fellow paceman Nuwan Pradeep (3-28). Left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan took two wickets before Pradeep wiped off the Zimbabwe tail including the prized wicket of skipper Graeme Cremer for 34. The win kept Sri Lanka in the hunt for a spot in the final as they still have a game in hand against Bangladesh.

Zimbabwe, who beat Sri Lanka by 12 runs in their first match of the tournament, also can qualify for the final if they can beat the hosts in their next match on Tuesday (tomorrow).

Score Board

Zimbabwe won toss

Zimbabwe

H Masakadza c Tharanga b N Perera 20

S F Mire c Dickwella b N Perera 21

C R Ervine c Tharanga b N Perera 2

†B R M Taylor c Tharanga b N Perera 58

S Raza c Mendis b Sandakan 9

M N Waller c Dickwella b Sandakan 24

P J Moor run out 0

*A G Cremer b Pradeep 34

K M Jarvis b Pradeep 5

T L Chatara not out 2

B Muzarabani b Pradeep 0

Extras (lb 8, w 15) 23

Total (all-out; 44 Overs) 198

Fall: 1-44, 2-49, 3-56, 4-73, 5-139, 6-140, 7-171, 8-191, 9-198, 10-198

Bowling: Lakmal 7-0-23-0; Fernando 8-2-28-3; N Perera 8-0-33-4; Dananjaya 10-0-45-0; Sandakan 10-0-57-2; Gunaratne 1-0-4-0

Sri Lanka

M D K J Perera c sub (R Murray) b Muzarabani 49

W U Tharanga b Chatara 17

B K G Mendis b Muzarabani 36

†N Dickwella c sub (R Murray) b Muzarabani 7

*L D Chandimal not out 38

D A S Gunaratne c sub (R Murray) b Jarvis 9

N L T C Perera not out 39

Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 3) 7

Total (5 wickets; 44.5 Overs) 202

Did not bat: P A D L R Sandakan, A Dananjaya, R A S Lakmal, A N P R Fernando

Fall: 1-33, 2-103, 3-110, 4-117, 5-145

Bowling: Jarvis 9-0-34-1; Chatara 9.5-1-40-1; Muzarabani 10-0-52-3; Sikandar 7-0-44-0; Cremer 9-0-29-0

Result: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: T Perera (Sri Lanka)

Umpires: M Rahman (Bangladesh) and B Oxenford (Australia). TV Umpires: C Shamshuddin (India). Match Referee: D Boon (Australia)