Kamindu, Nissanka steer Sri Lanka to four-wicket win over Zimbabwe

Harare, 3 September 2025:

Kamindu Mendis smashed an unbeaten 41 off 16 balls to rescue Sri Lanka from a collapse and seal a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their T20 match on Tuesday.

Chasing 176, Sri Lanka slipped from 96 without loss to 125-5, needing 46 off the final four overs. Kamindu turned the game with four sixes and a boundary, most behind square on the leg side as Zimbabwe’s seamers faltered at the death. His onslaught in the 18th over, which went for 26 runs off Tinotenda Maposa, effectively decided the match. Sri Lanka won with five balls to spare.

Opener Pathum Nissanka set the platform with 55 off 32 deliveries, his third half-century of the tour, while Kusal Mendis added to a rapid opening stand of 96. But a middle-order wobble saw six wickets fall for 46 runs before Kamindu’s late assault.

Zimbabwe’s innings was carried by Brian Bennett, who hit 81 off 57 balls with partnerships alongside Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl. Bennett capitalized on edges early but settled into a fluent knock, before Dushmantha Chameera bowled him in the 19th over.

Chameera was Sri Lanka’s best bowler with 3-30, striking in the powerplay and again at the death with accurate yorkers. Richard Ngarava was the pick of Zimbabwe’s attack, taking 2-19.

Scores in brief:

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by four wickets

Zimbabwe 175 for 7 (Bennett 81, Chameera 3-30)

Sri Lanka 177 for 6 (Nissanka 55, Kamindu 41, Ngarava 2-19)