2nd T20I, Colombo, January 16, 2024, 07:00 PM
Sri Lanka
173/6(20.0ov)
Zimbabwe
178/6(19.5ov)
Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Luke Jongwe
Commentry
Right then, that’s it from this nail-biting contest but do join us for the series decider in the last and final T20I of the series on Thursday (January 18th). That game will start at 7.00 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT). But as you know, you can always join in early for the build-up. Until then, goodbye and cheers!
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza says that the good thing is that he had faith in the group of boys and they played an unbelievable game. Adds that the wicket got better and Sri Lanka had momentum. Shares that It was a par score and they had the belief to chase it down. Ends by saying that they targeted 80 runs after the 10 overs and they remained calm to target the lesser bowlers and it worked well for them.
Sri Lanka skipper Wanindu Hasaranga says that the top four batter needs to play better than this. Adds that the top order needs to take more responsibility and as a group, they made lots of mistakes. Ends by saying that he hopes to come back better in the series decider.
Luke Jongwe is the player of the match for his outstanding knock of 25 runs off 12 balls and his 2 wickets. He is up for a quick chat and says he is glad that he managed to put up such a performance today. Adds that they looked to restrict them to 130 but that did not happen and the wicket kept getting better in the second innings.
Time for the post-match presentations...
Earlier today, Sri Lanka were asked to bat first and the home side posted an excellent score of 173 on the back of a fine 69 from Charith Asalanka and a steady 66* from Angelo Mathews after the hosts were reduced to 27 for 4. The duo made a brilliant recovery and added 118 for the 5th wicket to take their side out of early trouble. The Lankans ended the innings with a flourish.  Blessing Muzarabani and Luke Jongwe took two each for Zimbabwe but were on the expensive side. Zimbabwe have done the unthinkable and taken the series into a decider.
The Lankan bowlers were good in patches and kept the pressure by picking regular wickets and keeping the run rate in check. Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera were the standouts with two wickets each while Dilshan Madushanka and Wanindu Hasaranga accounted for one apiece. Zimbabwe needed 20 off the final over when the ball by thrown to Angelo Mathews and he failed to defend the total. Sri Lanka will be ruining plenty of missed opportunities and will hope to come back strongly in the next match.
Chasing 174 for the win on an excellent batting pitch, Zimbabwe lost Tinashe Kamunhukamwe early in the innings but Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett added 74 for the second wicket and set the base for the chase. Bennett was dismissed on 25 but Ervine carried on and made a solid 70. Luke Jongwe (25* off 12) and Clive Madande (15* off 5) played quickfire cameos at the backend and finished things in style. Zimbabwe wins by 4 wickets and they level the series with a game to go.
Phew! We have witnessed another close finish here where Zimbabwe have come out triumphant by 4 wickets. The Zimbabwe side is ecstatic and we are witnessing crazy scenes in the dressing room. Sikandar Raza is pumped and the African nation have pulled this out of nowhere!
In over# 20
6
1
0
6
4
7nb
Angelo Mathews 35/0(1.5)
19.5
6
SIX! THEY PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE AND A MIRACLE HAPPENED! Zimbabwe gets over the line to stay alive in the series. Clive Madande finishes off in style. Overcooked again right in the slot, Clive Madande shuffles back a bit and slogs it well over the fence toward deep mid-wicket region for a maximum to level the series.
19.4
1
IT'S ALL HAPPENING HERE! Maheesh Theekshana DROPS Luke Jongwe and more importantly leaks a single. On a length outside off, Luke Jongwe looks for the big heave bt lobs one high to short cover. Maheesh Theekshana settles underneath and tries to pouch it reverse cup but spills it.
19.3
.
CLOSE CALL! The benefit of doubt goes to the bowler. Short and wide of off, Luke Jongwe looks to cut but misses out.
19.2
6
SIX! UNBELIVALBLE HITTING FROM Luke Jongwe. The hero from last night turning out to be the villain here for the Lankans. Over-pitched in the slot, Luke Jongwe clears his front leg and launches it over the long on fence comfortable for yet another maximum.
19.1
4
FOUR! 11 runs coming off just 1 delivery and a picture-perfect start to the over for Zimbabwe. On a length outside off, Luke Jongwe drills this past extra-cover for a boundary more.
19.1
7nb
SIX! MY GOODNESS, Angelo Mathews OVERSTEPS! Salt to the wounds of Lankans. Overpitched in the slot, Luke Jongwe settles deep in the crease and launches it over the fence at long on for a maximum. 13 needed of 6 now.
Are we in for another last-ball finish here, AGAIN? With Zimbabwe requiring 20 off the last over the responsibility rests on the shoulders of Angelo Mathews to restrict them.
Sri Lanka will have to bring one more fielder into the circle as they have failed to finish their overs inside the allocated time.
In over# 19
1
0
1
6
1
1
Dilshan Madushanka 24/1(4)
