Pic by - ICC Coverage in NZ -  for SNNI

 

Sri Lanka had to fend off a fired-up Zimbabwe pace attack before completing an eight-wicket win in a rain-shortened match at Lincoln tod

Chasing 122 for victory, Sri Lankan openers Udara Jayasundara and Andri Berenger laid the platform for the chase but it was no easy road as they withstood a barrage from the Zimbabwe pacemen.
 
The pair accumulated 35 runs in 10 overs, until Berenger was caught behind by wicketkeeper Dean Mashawidza off Nathan Waller for 16. Jayasundara went the same way, but Banuka Rajapaksa and Rumesh Buddika finished the match for Sri Lanka with aplomb, relishing the start they had been given.

Man of the match Rajapaksa hit a delightful 49 not out from 43 balls, as Sri Lanka reached the target in the 25th over. For Zimbabwe Nathan Waller was aggressive and tested the batsmen, thoroughly deserving his two for 27 return.
 
Earlier, Sri Lanka put Zimbabwe in to bat and immediately had them in trouble – dismissing the top four batsmen for 12 runs. Captain Chathura Peiris captured both openers with his left-arm fast deliveries, while fellow left-armer Charith Jayampathi chipped another two batsmen out cheaply, impressing with the lift he extracted from the pitch.
 
Zimbabwe continued to lose wickets, slipping to 44 for seven, before the stand of the innings – a defiant partnership between number seven, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, and number nine, Simon Mugava, adding 47 valuable runs.
 
Zimbabwe was all out for 121, failing by just three balls to finish the 34 overs available after rain delayed the start of play – a good recovery after looking like they would capitulate for less than 50. Mutombodzi finished unbeaten on 42, hitting five boundaries in his courageous innings. 

Match reduced to 34 overs per side

Zimbabwe 121 all out in 33.3 overs (Tinotenda Mutombodzi 42 n.o.; Charith Jayampathi 4-26, Chatura Peiris 3-14, Udara Jayasundera 2-24)

Sri Lanka 122 for 2 in 24.2 overs (Banuka Rajapaksa 49 n.o., Udara Jayasundera 30; Nathan Waller 2-26)

Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

Man of the Match: Banuka Rajapaksa

Click here to view scorecard