After batsman’s incredible display, it was the turn of Sri Lankan bowlers, and they spellbound the fans with sublime bowling to take the visitors over the line.
Suranga Lakmal took four for 27 to set 🍰up Sri Lanka for a 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe i🌳n the first Test at Harare on Thursday.
Zimbabwe started the Day 5 on 30 without any loss and trail by 127 runs. They lost their first batsman at 33, and that opened the flood gates of wickets. The Sean Williams-led side got all out onꦐ 170 and gave Sri Lanka to chase 14 runs only.
Innings break: Zimbabwe 170 all out, Sri Laꦰnka need 14 runs to win.
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC)
Lakmal dismantled Zimbabwe’s top order, and he was well assisted by Lahiru Kumara, who scalped three wickets. In reply, the Dimuth Karunaratne-led team chased down the easy target of 14 runs to register a 10-wicket victory in the first Test.
Sri Lanka win the 1st Test by 10 wickets!
ZIM 358 & 170 (Lakmal 27/4, Lahiru🦂 Kumara 32/3, Embuldeniya 2/74) v SL 515/9d & 14/0.
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC)
Angelo Mathews, who smashed his Test career’s maiden double hundred, was gratified with the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
The second and final game of 🐷the two-match Test series will start on Monday (Jan🦂 27) in Harare.
Sri Lanka’s outstanding win attracted former and current cricketers to express their feelings.
Here’s how they reacted:
Excellent knock by he has so much to offer in everyꩲ format💯. Best batsman in Sri Lanka for a long time now.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2)
Well played … very good knock 👍
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay)
Goo🌠d win Not easy towards the end . Well ꦍdone guys 👍👍
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69)
Great stuff by the boys well batted and a mammoth effort by Suranga ,a♌mbul and all others including support staff. Thanks for all the support 🙏🙏on to the next
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews)
Well done for your maiden double 💯💯 👏👏
A gutsy knock and well supported by & ! Lets capitꦡalize this lead. 👍— Danushka Gunathilaka (@danushka_70)
on your maiden double 100👏🏽
— Kusal Mendis (@KusalMendis13)
Well played Angi Ayya . An amazing 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣.
— Niroshan Dickwella (@NiroshanDikka)
Well played Keep rocking
— Thisara perera (@PereraThisara)
Congratulations to Sri Lanka on their easy win by 10 wickets over⛄ Zimbabwe.
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket)
Congratulations on your maiden Test double hu✨ndred. Fantastic achievement. All the best for the rest of the series
— Rangana Herath (@HerathRSL)
Congratulations 💯💯🎊🎊
— Upul Tharanga (@upultharanga44)
