By Ziyah News Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe put up a spirited challenge in the second and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Harare but fell short by five wickets, finishing on 277 for 7. Despite strong contributions from Ben Curran (79) and an unbeaten Sikandar Raza (59), the hosts were unable to defend their total, allowing Sri Lanka to chase down the target with three balls to spare and clinch a 2–0 series win.
ESPNcricinfo noted that Zimbabwe “scored 139 runs for the loss of four wickets between overs 15–40,” showing promise in the middle overs, but wickets at crucial moments hindered their ability to set a truly challenging total.
After a fast start of 55 inside the opening powerplay, the entry of Brendan Taylor slowed the scoring, and Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage, applied pressure with tight overs and key breakthroughs.
Raza’s late innings provided hope, as he “took the lead, setting the tone with a pair of boundaries” to push Zimbabwe toward a competitive total, but the chase proved just out of reach. ESPNcricinfo described the final moments:
“In the penultimate over, Charith Asalanka got a boundary … then Kamindu Mendis defied space and time to inside edge an attempted reverse lap sweep for four … After that, the rest was a formality.”
Curran top-scored for Zimbabwe, but the side struggled to maintain partnerships through the middle overs, allowing Sri Lanka to control the game and set up the final run chase.
Zimbabwe’s effort highlighted moments of strong batting and running between the wickets, but lapses at pivotal stages ultimately handed the series to the visitors.
Scores:
Zimbabwe 277 for 7 (Curran 79, Raza 59*, Chameera 3–52)
Sri Lanka 278 for 5 (Nissanka 122, Asalanka 71, Ngarava 2–53)
Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets, taking the series 2–0.