ICC Cricket World Cup Super League resumed in Sri Lanka with a 3-match series between the home team and Zimbabwe. A high-scoring encounter kicked off the series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The Sri Lankan cricket team emerged victorious by five wickets and gained a 1-0 lead in the series.
Visitors Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bat first. Sri Lanka handed a debut to Chamika Gunasekra, while Takudzwanashe Kaitano started his ODI career for Zimbabwe. The visiting team got off to a brilliant start as the debutant Kaitano stitched up an 80-run opening stand with wicket-keeper batter Regis Chakabva.
While Kaitano could not complete a fifty on debut, Chakbva aggregated 72 runs off 81 deliveries. Sean Williams used the platform to perfection and completed a century, helping the Zimbabwean cricket team post a 296-run total in the first innings. The lower middle-order of Zimbabwe could not contribute much because of which the visitors failed to touch the 300-run mark.
Chamika Karunaratne took a three-wicket haul and was the best bowler for the Sri Lankan cricket team. While it seemed like Zimbabwe had the upper hand in the match, half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka and Dinesh Chandimal ensured that the home side won the match with five wickets in hand. Sri Lanka reached 300/5 in 48.3 overs.
Dinesh Chandimal was adjudged the Player of the Match and here’s what he had to say: “I’m over the moon about my performance. Disappointed not to have stayed till the end though. I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs, but you have to keep practicing hard and keep your fitness at a good level.”
ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points table Updated after 1st SL vs ZIM ODI
Sri Lanka have earned 10 points from this match and climbed to fifth position in the table, whereas Zimbabwe continue to languish at the bottom.
Updated Points Table of CWC Super League after #SLvsZIM pic.twitter.com/p3Rx3qK7dE
— Behind Cricket (@behindCric8) January 16, 2022
