Colombo, Sri Lanka: In a game that went down to the wire, Zimbabwe pulled off a sensational four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I on Tuesday, leveling the three-match series 1-1. Chasing a challenging 174-run target, the Chevrons rode on a brilliant 70 from captain Craig Ervine and a last-over blitz by Luke Jongwe and Clive Madande to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Sri Lanka, batting first, posted a competitive total on the back of Pathum Nissanka’s 59 and a quickfire 28 from Wanindu Hasaranga. The hosts looked well on course for victory at 154/5 in the 18th over, but a late collapse saw them lose three wickets for just 20 runs, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a steady start, with Ervine and Wessley Madhevere putting on a 61-run opening stand. However, the loss of wickets at regular intervals kept Sri Lanka in the hunt. With 20 runs needed off the final over bowled by veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews, the drama truly unfolded.
Jongwe and Madande, facing a must-win situation, went berserk, smashing three sixes and a boundary to guide Zimbabwe home with two balls to spare. Jongwe finished on 25* off 9 balls, while Madande remained unbeaten on 15* off 5 deliveries. The jubilant celebrations that followed spoke volumes about the magnitude of Zimbabwe’s achievement.
Ervine, who was adjudged Player of the Match, spoke of his team’s resilience, “It was a great game of cricket, both teams fought hard. We knew it was going to be a close game, and it came down to the last over. I’m really proud of the way the guys kept their composure and finished the game off.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka was left to rue the missed opportunities, “We had the game in our hands, but unfortunately, we couldn’t hold on. Credit to Zimbabwe for playing with a lot of heart and taking their chances.”
The final T20I of the series promises to be another nail-biter, with both teams desperate to clinch the series win. With the momentum firmly with Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka will need to find a way to bounce back and keep their home series hopes alive.
This thrilling encounter between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka further highlights the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket. With the series poised at 1-1, the final match promises to be a must-watch event for cricket fans around the world.