SL vs ZIM 1st T20I: Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka Rescue Sri Lanka In Series Opener

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Senior all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka defeat Zimbabwe in the first match of the three-match T20I series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (January 14).

With Sri Lanka struggling at 83 for 6 in 14 overs during the run chase of 144, Mathews (46 off 38 balls) and Shanaka (26 not out off 18 balls) shared a 55-run stand before Dushmanta Chameera scored 6 off the final two balls to seal a last-ball thriller for the hosts.

Matthews, playing his first T20I since 2021 played like he never left the format and guided Lanka to a win with his calm and composed knock. The senior all-rounder also produced figures of 0 for 13 in 2 overs to bag the player of the match award.

Sent in to bat, Zimbabwe got off to a decent start as openers Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (26 in 18 balls, one four and two sixes) and Craig Ervine (10 in 16 balls, two fours) put up a 37-run opening stand in 31 balls.

Zimbabwe was 38/2 at the end of the powerplay with both openers back in the hut. Sean Williams then rebuilt Zimbabwe's innings with skipper Sikandar Raza, who seemed to be batting on a whole different level.

Halfway through, Zimbabwe was 64/2, with Raza (20*) and Wiliams (7*) unbeaten. But Williams' dismissal by Wanindu Hasaranga for a 20-ball 14 without any four or six put an end to the 45-run stand. Zimbabwe reached the 100-run mark in 15.1 overs.

Raza reached his fifty in 37 balls, with five fours and a six. This was his 13th T20I fifty. Raza's innings came to an end with Chameera getting the better of him for 62 in 42 balls, with five fours and two sixes.

Brian Bennett (10*) and Luke Jongwe (13*) took Zimbabwe to 143/5 in 20 overs. Hasaranga (2/19) and Maheesh Theekshana (2/16) were the pick of the bowlers for the hosts.

In response, Sri Lanka were in trouble in the powerplay, losing Pathum Nissanka (2), Kusal Mendis (17 in 15 balls) and Kusal Perera (17 in 13 balls) to reach 38/3 in five overs.

At the end of six overs, SL was 43/3, with Sadeera Samarawickrama and vice captain Charith Asalanka at the crease. SL reached the 50-run mark in 6.5 overs.

Just when Sri Lanka looked to settle, Raza wreaked havoc on the home side, removing Sadeera (9), Asalanka (16) and Hasaranga (0) to leave them sinking at 83/6 in 14 overs.

That is when Mathews and Shanaka came in to rescue the hosts. Matthews scored an unbeaten 46 in 38 balls, with five fours and a six to take Sri Lanka closer to the target before Chameera struck a four and two runs to help win in a last-ball thriller.

Raza's (3/13 and 62) all-round show went in vain, while Blessing Muzarabani's (2/33) and Wellington Masakadza's (1/21) spells also could not win Zimbabwe the match.

The two sides will lock horns again in the second T20I at the same venue in Colombo on Tuesday (January 16) before the series concludes on Thursday (January 18).

(With agency inputs)