SL vs ZIM, 2nd ODI: Liyanage 95 provides Sri Lanka exhausting fought win over Zimbabwe

A again to the wall 95 by center order batsman Janith Liyanage helped Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by two wickets within the second ODI of the three-match collection in Colombo on Monday.

Chasing 209 to win, Sri Lanka struggled as left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava troubled the batsmen with additional bounce.

Ngarava claimed the primary 4 Sri Lankan wickets, and picked up a fifth when he dismissed Maheesh Theekshana in his closing over.

Sri Lanka was 112, however a 56-run stand for the seventh wicket between Theekshana and Liyanage began the struggle again.

Ngarava completed with 5 for 32, his profession finest figures and Sri Lanka began to breath simpler when he accomplished his 10 overs.

Liyanage, attempting to maintain up with the required charge, tried to clear mid-off, however didn’t get the elevation wanted and was dismissed 5 runs in need of his hundred.

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Liyanage was drafted into the Sri Lankan aspect for this collection after his prolific type in home cricket.

His 95 got here off 127 deliveries with six fours and two sixes. “I wanted get to the hundred but was disappointed,” he stated.

When Liyanage was dismissed, Sri Lanka required 37 runs with two wickets in hand.

Jeffrey Vandersay (19) and Dushmantha Chameera (18) knocked off the goal, including an unbroken 39 runs for the ninth wicket.

More than an hour’s play was misplaced attributable to rain throughout the Sri Lankan innings, however the recreation continued with out the overs being lowered.

Spin bowler Sikandar Raza backed up Ngarava, claiming two for 32 in his 10 overs, however there was not sufficient assist from the remainder of the bowlers.

Zimbabwe had opted to bat after successful the toss, with skipper Craig Ervine prime scoring with 82 runs.

A one-handed diving catch by Sadeera Samarawickrama at additional cowl dismissed Ervine, and shortly Zimbabwe had been struggling.

From 182 for 4, Zimbabwe collapsed to be 209 all out, shedding the final six wickets for 26 runs.

Theekshana picked up 4 wickets, whereas Chameera and Vandersay claimed two wickets apiece.

Ervine known as it a “well fought game” and was “proud” of his bowlers. “We have one more game and we need to look at squaring the series,” he stated.

Sri Lanka lead the three-match collection 1-0. The first recreation on Saturday was washed out and inclement climate may play spoilsport once more.

The closing recreation is on Thursday on the identical venue.