Pathum Nissanka Century Powers Sri Lanka to Series Sweep Over Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka swept the ODI series against Zimbabwe with a five-wicket win in the second and final match in Harare, chasing down 278 with only three balls to spare. Pathum Nissanka's fluent hundred and Charith Asalanka's counterattacking fifty ensured that the visitors overcame a spirited effort from the hosts.

Put in to bat, Zimbabwe made 277 for 7 after a strong start led by Ben Curran. The left-hander looked in control during his 79 off 95 balls, setting up the platform with neat strokeplay despite the surface getting trickier as the ball got older. Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams chipped in during the middle overs, but it was Sikandar Raza who gave the innings its finishing kick. Raza struck 59 from 55 balls, finding the boundaries late and even lofting Dushmantha Chameera into the stands in the 49th over.

For Sri Lanka, Chameera was the pick of the attack, finishing with 3 for 52, while Asitha Fernando claimed two wickets in the same over to finish with 2 for 67 in his 9 overs.

Nissanka then anchored the reply with a measured 122 off 136 deliveries, laced with 16 boundaries. He put on a 78-run stand for the third wicket with Sadeera Samarawickrama and later a 90-run stand with Asalanka.

The Sri Lanka captain injected tempo with 71 off 61 balls, taking on Zimbabwe's seamers in the middle overs. His near century stand with Nissanka effectively sealed the game, although late wickets added a hint of drama and kept the contest alive with late wickets. Richard Ngarava dismissed Nissanka in the 45th over and Asalanka in the 49th, with six runs still needed but Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage though saw their side through without any hiccups.

Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 277/7 in 50 overs (Ben Curran 79, Sikandar Raza 59*; Dushmantha Chameera 3/52, Asitha Fernando 2/67) lost to Sri Lanka 278/5 in 49.3 overs (Pathum Nissanka 122, Charith Asalanka 71; Richard Ngarava 2/53, Brad Evans 2/54) by 5 wickets