Ahead of the third T20I between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, both teams entered the game with the series leveled 1-1. The home team won the last-ball thriller in the first T20I, followed by an upset by the Chevrons. Meanwhile, in this game, the Lankan Lions won the toss and elected to bowl first. Apart from Brian Bennett’s (29) quick start, the team managed to bowl out the opposition for 82 runs.
For the former T20 World Cup winners, captain Wanindu Hasaranga took four wickets while former skipper Angelo Mathews and Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets each. Apart from this, left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka and Dhanajaya de Silva took one each. In reply, the home team chased down the target in just 10.5 overs and nine wickets in hand.
It’s great to be able to contribute: Former Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews
Angelo Mathews is the Player of the Series for his 112 runs and 2 wickets over three games: “For the past 16-odd years I don’t think my mom and dad were present [when I’ve won one of these] so I just want to dedicate this them. It’s been a great comeback series for me. I’ve been working extremely hard on and off the field, trying to keep up with all the youngsters. It’s great that I was able to contribute in all three departments.
[Role for SL?] It’ll change depending on the surfaces that we play on. My job was to try and help us get to a good target, especially in the second T20. It depends on where I bat, but happy to whatever the team needs from me. [Prefer to bowl at the top?] It depends. I’ve bowled a few overs at the end. If not for my crappy over in the last T20 we could’ve won 3-0. But nothing can be taken from the Zimbabweans. They’ve played extremely good cricket and we’ve had to work really hard to win the series. Credit to them and wish them the very best.”
This is how Twitter reacted
Kohlison enjoying in #SLvZIM
match ?#PSL9 #PAKvsNZ #PakistanZindabad— Syed Awon (@syedawon66) January 18, 2024
T20I series Sri Lanka won 2 : 1 (3) ?#lka #SriLanka #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/jdAaag699J
— Thimira Navod (@ImThimira07) January 18, 2024
We are win the series ???
Anji take man of the series #SLvZIM #Cricket #ICC pic.twitter.com/Nyc6w2PhJL
— AKMAL FALEEL ?? (@iamAkmal_1993) January 18, 2024
112 runs across the first two T20Is, and two wickets in the decider – Angelo Mathews is Player of the Series on his T20I comeback ? #SLvZIM #abuksports #???????_??_?????_??? #MissileAttack #??????_????????_??_???? #Tehran #PSL9 #YumnaZaidi #PakistanZindabad #PakistanStrikesBack pic.twitter.com/nCKkUtRbRj
— Basit Khan (@ABUKALEX) January 18, 2024
7th ‘player of the match’ award for Wanindu.
No one has won more ‘Player of the match’ awards for Sri Lanka than Wanindu Hasaranga in T20I format. #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/TXF0QqstsD
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) January 18, 2024
Zimbabwe batters need to Practice playing spin more that’s their weakest point or maybe they cant play it because we don’t have good spinners in the domestic league #SLvZIM https://t.co/ykgF0SOdzl
— Mugo (@mugo_kc) January 18, 2024
Yes Zimbabwe lost the series 2-1. But, they can be really proud of themselves on the way they played this series. Two tall fast bowlers were outstanding. Going forward they have to work hard on fielding.#SLvZIM
— Poornama? (@iam_poor9) January 18, 2024
Player of the Series – ????? @Angelo69Mathews #sportspavilionlk #SLvsZIM #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/nSaB3CONqk
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) January 18, 2024
Need to reclassify Theekshana’s bowling style. Its a weird way of spinning a ball. His length and pace is just awkward to play. The ball is always on the off stump. He’s more deadly than Hasaranga. Sri Lanka is blessed to have these two Frontline premium *spin* bowlers #SLvZim
— Charly (@CharlyM__17) January 18, 2024
