Brian Bennett’s sparkling knock of 81 gave Zimbabwe real hope of upsetting Sri Lanka in the opening T20 international at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, but one expensive over in the closing stages proved the difference as the visitors snatched a four-wicket win.
Zimbabwe, asked to bat first, finished on 175 for seven, largely thanks to Bennett’s superb effort at the top of the order. The 20-year-old struck 12 boundaries in his 57-ball innings, standing tall even as wickets fell around him. He shared 37 runs with Sean Williams before the veteran was trapped lbw by Maheesh Theekshana for 14, and later added 50 with captain Sikandar Raza, who made 28 before being caught at deep midwicket off Dushan Hemantha.
Chameera returned at the death to wreck Zimbabwe’s momentum, bowling both Ryan Burl (17) and Bennett in the 19th over with full, accurate deliveries. He finished with three for 30, the pick of the Sri Lankan attack. Tashinga Musekiwa’s late cameo of 11 helped Zimbabwe reach 175, a total that looked competitive.
Sri Lanka’s reply began at a furious pace. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis punished anything loose, racing to 96 without loss at the halfway mark. Nissanka top-scored with 55 off 32 balls before falling to Maposa, while Mendis struck 38 before Richard Ngarava dismissed him with a clever short ball.
The hosts fought back superbly in the middle overs. Ngarava struck again to remove Kusal Perera, and Blessing Muzarabani accounted for Nuwanidu Fernando as Sri Lanka stumbled to 125 for five in the 16th over. A stunning boundary catch by Tony Munyonga, after Tashinga Musekiwa’s initial juggle, then sent captain Dasun Shanaka back for six, leaving the match on a knife edge.
Zimbabwe held the advantage with Sri Lanka needing 34 from the last three overs. But young seamer Tinotenda Maposa endured a nightmare 18th over, conceding 26 runs. Kamindu Mendis, cool under pressure, launched him for 16 in the over on his way to a match-winning unbeaten 41 from just 16 balls.
That decisive burst swung the game beyond Zimbabwe’s reach, with Sri Lanka easing home at 177 for six with five balls remaining.
For the hosts, Ngarava was outstanding with two wickets for 19 in his four overs, while Raza and Evans chipped in with one apiece. But Bennett’s lone hand and Zimbabwe’s spirited fielding display were ultimately undone by a single over of inexperience.
Sri Lanka now lead the three-match series 1–0, with the second T20I scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.
