RAWALPINDI: Pathum Nissanka’s sublime 98* from 58 propelled Sri Lanka to a resounding win over Zimbabwe and kept his side’s hopes alive of reaching the final of the T20I tri-series.
Set a partly 147, the Islanders hit the winning runs on the second ball of the 16th over, losing only one wicket in the process.
Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka started briskly in pursuit of the chase, adding 59 in only 5.4 overs.
Nissanka remained the core aggressor while Mishara held one end and was dismissed after scoring 12 from 15 balls.
However, Nissanka continued on and forged an unbeaten 89-run stand with 64 balls with Kusal Mendis, flattening Zimbabwe bowlers.
Pathum Nissanka returned to form with four sixes and 11 fours while Mendis played a run-a-ball 25-run knock with the help of a boundary.
For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans remained the solitary wicket-taker.
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Earlier, Sri Lanka spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana spun a web around Zimbabwe batters, restricting them to a modest total.
After opting to bat here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium under lights, Zimbabwe managed to put 146-5 on the board in their 20 overs.
Theekshana removed Tadiwanashe Marumani for four in the opening over and followed the wicket with another scalp in the third over to provide Sri Lanka a strong start.
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Dion Myers castled for six, brought experienced Brendan Taylor to the fore, who added 36 runs for the third wicket with Brian Bennett, which provided the Chevrons some relief.
Taylor made 14 from 12 before getting bowled by skipper Dasun Shanka, leaving Zimbabwe 53-3 in 7.3 overs. Despite Zimbabwe stitching brief stands, the Islanders kept tight and never allowed them to score freely.
Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl remained the notable contributors with the bat for Zimbabwe, both scoring 37 runs respectively with the aid of five fours and a maximum.
For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana bowled clinical spells and picked up two wickets in their quota of four overs.