Dilshan Madushanka produced a sensational last-over hat-trick to snatch victory for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe, just when Sikandar Raza’s heroic knock had brought the visitors to the brink of a famous chase.
Chasing 10 runs off the final over, Raza – batting brilliantly on 92 off 86 balls – looked set to finish the job. But Madushanka went full and straight, bowling Raza with a searing yorker on the very first ball.
Madushanka finished with 4 for 62, delivering the match’s decisive moment despite being expensive earlier. Asitha Fernando also impressed with 3 for 50.
Earlier, Zimbabwe had been powered by a superb 128-run partnership between Raza and Tony Munyonga, who kept the chase alive after coming together with 138 needed from 120 balls. Sri Lanka’s sloppy fielding and slow over-rate made life harder, but Madushanka’s heroics sealed the contest.
Sri Lanka’s batting was anchored by a blistering 137-run sixth-wicket stand between Janith Liyanage (70 off 47)* and Kamindu Mendis (57 off 36), lifting the total after a sluggish start.
Raza’s brilliance nearly stole the show, but in the end, Madushanka’s ice-cool final over gave Sri Lanka a dramatic win.
