A dominant Sri Lanka came to within a freak run-out of whitewashing Zimbabwe in the final of the Tri-nations tournament at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
The Sri Lankans scored 203-1 in 34.4 overs to win with ease in reply to Zimbabwe’s effort of 199 all out in 49 overs.
Although Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor was named man of the series afterwards it was Tillikeratne Dilshan who stole the day.
He was named man of the match after amassing 108 not out, both for his score and for his captaincy, with his 100 coming up in 97 balls and including 13 boundaries.
It was Dilshan’s seventh one-day international century and his first against Zimbabwe.
“I was really elated, both for the 100 and for our series victory to take home after a hard time abroad,” he said. “We brought several youngsters with us for experience and they certainly benefitted. It was all well worthwhile.”
The run-out came with the score on 160 — Sri Lanka’s highest opening partnership against Zimbabwe in internationals.
Dilshan went for a quick single to Graeme Cremer at point, but when his wicket was about to be broken he kept going and fellow opener Upul Tharanga moved forward from the other end to sacrifice his wicket.
Tharanga produced another of his speciality supporting roles with 72 runs.
The match was killed as a potential spectacle after just a few overs of the Zimbabwe innings.
The home team prodded their way to 15-1 in seven overs and to 40-2 in 15. By comparison, Sri Lanka were 46-0 in seven and 88-0 in 15.
Tatenda Taibu was initially a culprit with only four runs from his first 22 balls faced, but he redeemed himself by becoming easily Zimbabwe’s top scorer with 71.
Their meagre 199 was soon overwhelmed by Dilshan and Tharanga, who gobbled up the Zimbabwe bowling with ease, if not quite disdain.
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