SL vs ZIM 3rd ODI, ZIM vs SL 2022

So that’s it from today’s decider and it’s a good bye from us. This was me AkshayaKrishna Polya who along with Ninaad Dixit and Ayan Chatterjee brought you all the live actions from this fascinating game. For the matches all around the world stay tuned on our websites and apps. We will meet in the next match. Until next time, it’s cheers…!   

Earlier, Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to bat first. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, i.e., Sri Lanka's openers, justified their captain's decision by getting the team off to a flying start. In 17.2 overs, they added 80 runs for the first wicket.When everything was nicely Kusal Mendis chipped one straight to the man at long off. He scored 36 from 51 balls. Pathum Nissanka, another set batter, was run-out at the bowler's end courtesy of a direct hit from sub fielder Madhevere, and they were quickly two down. He was in good form prior to his dismissal, scoring 55 runs off 66 balls. In the crease, Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal didn't last long. The wickets kept falling from one end, but Aslalanka remained composed and scored 52 off 56 balls. He was the sixth batter to fall. In the end, Ramesh Mendis 26(21) and Chamika Karunaratne 30(32) scored quick cameos to make sure that they pass the mark of 250. They finished with a score of 254/9.

With figures of 9-1-46-2, Ngarava was the best of the bowlers. Tendai Chatara became Zimbabwe's fastest bowler to 100 wickets, surpassing Heath Streak in the process. Chatara only needed 76 matches to reach this height. Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, and Sean Williams each took a wicket.

 Chasing 255 to win the visitors were nervous and got to a shocker off a start. Dushmantha Chemeera ran through the top order in the third over, and they lost two in two. Regis Chakabva had a low-key exit. Their captain, as well as No. 3 Craig Ervine, made no attempt to trouble the scorers. On the other end, Mahesh Theekshana kept things tight at first before sneaking one through Sean Williams' defences. They were down 29-3 at the end of the power play. Kaitano 19(23) fought back for a while, but he couldn't hold out for long as he was stumped by Kusal Mendis. Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba and rest of the batters in the lower order had no real responses to the Sri Lankan attack. Some played lose shots and some got peach of deliveries. Apart from Kaitano and Burl nobody got into double figures. They eventually skittled out just for 70 in 24.4 overs.  

Jeffrey Vandersay bowled really well for his figures of 7.4 -2-10-4. Maheesh Theekshana bowled a brilliant spell of 6-1-10-1. Ramesh Mendis was brilliant for his two wickets in just 4 overs. Dushmantha Chameera’s impressive figures read 5-1-20-2. Chamika Karunaratne chipped in with a wicket too.

With that it’s a Sri Lankan win in the 3^rd and final ODI. Zimbabwe couldn’t recreate the history of 2017 and bow down this time. This was a hard fought series as it goes to Sri Lanka with an undefeatable lead of 2-1. They were clinical in all three departments as they win this decider by a huge margin of 184 runs. They earn a valuable 10 points from this match in the Cricket World Cup Super league.