Nissanka's 98 Keeps Sri Lanka's Final Hopes Alive in Tri-Series

5th T20I: Nissanka's 98 Keeps Sri Lanka's Final Hopes Alive in Tri-Series

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, T20I Series: The Sri Lanka opener scored his 98 off just 58 deliveries, scoring 11 fours and four maximums as they chased down their target of 147 in 16.2 overs.

Pathum Nissanka returned to form in style, smashing 98 off 58 balls to guide Sri Lanka to a comfortable chase of 147 runs against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. They finished the job in just 16.2 overs, winning by nine wickets. This was a must‑win game for Sri Lanka, giving them their first victory of the tour and ending a five‑match losing streak in T20Is. The result means they now face Pakistan on Thursday with a chance to qualify for the tri‑series final.

Bowlers Set the Tone

Sri Lanka’s bowlers had already done their job by restricting Zimbabwe to 146/5. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga both took 2 for 23, keeping Zimbabwe’s batting quiet. While Brian Bennett and Sikandar Raza made starts, they fell at key moments. A late push from Ryan Burl wasn’t enough to challenge Sri Lanka’s strong batting.

Nissanka Back in Rhythm

After his brilliant 107 against India in the Asia Cup, Nissanka had struggled with scores of 29, 24, 24, 0 and 17. But here, he was unstoppable. He scored freely in the power play, making 37 of Sri Lanka’s 64 runs. He added another 51 in the middle overs, and the chase was wrapped up with just three balls in the death overs a wide, a four, and a huge six.

Nissanka hit 11 fours and 4 sixes, punishing Zimbabwe’s bowlers, especially Richard Ngarava, who went for four fours and three sixes. His final shot — a six over square leg — left him smiling, as he had intended to hit a four to keep alive hopes of a second T20I century.

Theekshana’s Impact

Theekshana, recalled after being dropped in the previous game, made an immediate impact. He bowled with the new ball and dismissed Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers in the power play. His figures of 2 for 19 in three overs set Zimbabwe back early. He later bowled a tight final over, conceding just four runs, reminding everyone of his value in tough conditions.

Zimbabwe’s Reliance on Raza and Bennett

Zimbabwe’s batting continues to depend heavily on Bennett and Raza, who have scored nearly half of their team’s runs in this series. Together, they added useful partnerships, but once both fell to Hasaranga, Zimbabwe’s innings lost momentum.

Burl’s Late Fight

Ryan Burl gave Zimbabwe some hope with a late burst, scoring 36 off 26 balls after being stuck on 1 from his first seven deliveries. His hitting ensured Zimbabwe crossed 140, but with little support from Tashinga Musekiwa, they fell short of the 160 they had targeted.