SL VS ZIM ODI

Right then, that is it from this game where Sri Lanka clinches the win in a game that ebbed and flowed, and Zimbabwe will look to come back even stronger in the next game to finish at least on level terms. The 3rd and final ODI will be played on 11th January, Thursday at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The victorious skipper of Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis says he is not happy with the way they batted. He gives credit to the bowling unit for their exceptional spells throughout the innings but they need to work on their batting. He ends by saying that is satisfied with the way Janith Liyanage performed in this game.

The captain of Zimbabwe, Craig Ervine says that they started the innings well but could not finish it well. Tells that another 30-40 runs on the board and this could have been a different story. Adds by saying that the bowlers put in a superb effort, it is the batting that let them down. Finishes by saying that it was a good match to be a part of, and hopefully, they end up on the winning side the next time.

Janith Liyanage is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant knock. He says the ball was moving a bit, so he took a bit of time to get settled down, cause he knew that if he got set he could help his team win. He thinks that the surface was a bit tricky, and the pace varied a little bit. He was thinking about the DLS when he tried to go big and that's the reason he missed out on his hundred.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Zimbabwe posted a below-par total on the board due to a big collapse towards the end where they lost the last six wickets for just 26 runs. Skipper Craig Ervine was the top scorer with a knock of 82 runs off 102 balls. Maheesh Theekshana shone with the ball for Sri Lanka with a fine four-fer while Dushmantha Chameera and Jeffrey Vandersay got a couple each with Dilshan Madushanka setting the tone by getting the wicket in the first over. While chasing, it was the magnificent ton from the newest member of the team, Janith Liyanage that helped them keep in touch with the target while crucial contributions from Chameera and Vandersay towards the end made sure they ended up on the winning side.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, gave their absolute all defending this low score and made life difficult for Sri Lanka. Richard Ngarava once again provided them with the early breakthrough. Blessing Muzarabani also almost got Kusal Mendis on his very first ball, but unfortunately, he overstepped. It was Nagarava who removed four of the top five batters on his own. They dropped a few chances in the field which, looking back, would have made a difference. Sikandar Raza was excellent in the middle overs and picked up a couple of crucial wickets while being economical as well. He found good support from Tapiwa Mufudza, but that two overs from Ryan Burl that cost 23 runs proved to be very expensive. Ngarava registered his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs, but it was not quite enough to get his side the win while Blessing Muzarabani got a wicket as well. Even though the result did not go their way, they can take a lot of positives from this excellent bowling effort from them.

Sri Lanka once again lost an opener in the very first over as Avishka Fernando is not enjoying his return to the national side. Sadeera Samarawickrama followed him back to the hut as well. It was then Kusal Mendis and Janith Liyanage who rode the storm from the Zimbabwean pacers and gave them time to settle in, but scoring runs was still pretty difficult. Then the rain came down after 13 overs, but fortunately, it did not stay for very long and the game resumed with no overs lost. Mendis got a life on the very first ball after the resumption but couldn't make the most of it as he went back in the same over. Charith Asalanka who scored a ton in the last game went back for a duck this around. It was Janith Liyanage who held one end solidly and kept scoring the runs registering a gritty fifty as well in what is his 2nd ODI. He found good support first from Sahan Arachchige and then from Maheesh Theekshana who made crucial contributions that helped the hosts get back in the game. The partnership of 56 runs between him and Theekshana put them in a really good position, but two rash shots from both of them trying to get ahead on DLS saw them lose their grip again. Liyanage missed out on his hundred by just five runs and failed to stay there till the end to see his side home. However, Jeffrey Vandersay and Dushmantha Chameera kept their calm in the end when the rain was falling heavily, stayed unbeaten on 19 and 18 respectively to seal a 2-wicket win with one over to spare as well.

SRI LANKA WINS A THRILLER HERE! What a match we have witnessed here at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo where it is the hosts who just manage to get over the line. Relief more than happiness for them, but they will take it as they take an unassailable lead in the series. Zimbabwe, though, showed great fight, but a few moments of clumsiness in the field ultimately cost them the game and they will feel like this was a missed opportunity.

FOUR! Down the ground, Dushmantha Chameera hits through the line and finishes things in style for Sri Lanka. Faraz Akram pitches the ball up on the stumps and Dushmantha Chameera launches the ball back over the bowler and the ball races away to the long off boundary. It's all over and Sri Lanka have won the game. The 38 run partnership for the 9th wicket for Sri Lanka does it for their side. Zimbabwe so close of the victory, still falling a little short in the end. Sri Lanka chase down 209 in 49 overs with 2 wickets left in hand.

Full toss on the pads and Jeffrey Vandersay flicks the ball to deep square leg for a single. 2 runs are required for Sri Lanka to win the game.

Pitched up on the stumps. Jeffrey Vandersay drives the ball straight to covers.

FOUR! What a shot again. The rain helps the ball to come onto the bat and Jeffrey Vandersay hammers the ball through covers for a fantastic boundary. pitches the ball up outside the off stump line and Jeffrey Vandersay drives it hard through covers for a superb boundary.

FOUR! That can turn out to be a match-winning boundary for Sri Lanka. Jeffrey Vandersay executes the scoop to perfection. Pitched just short at the stumps and Jeffrey Vandersay walks around and plays the scoop over short fine leg for a superb boundary. 7 off 10 now.

Holds the length back on the off stump. Jeffrey Vandersay walks into the wicket and blocks it off. 11 runs needed from 11 balls now.

It is going down to the wire here at Colombo. The rain is falling down but the hosts are ahead on DLS. However, we are still playing on here.

Beats his outside edge this time to end his spell. Hits the good length outside off and makes the ball move away. Dushmantha Chameera survives the over.