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In the 1st T20I of the three-match series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday (January 14), Sri Lanka emerged victorious by three wickets in a closely contested encounter, despite Sikandar Raza‘s exceptional efforts with both bat and ball for Zimbabwe.
Sikandar Raza leads Zimbabwe to a respectable total
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka witnessed Zimbabwe post a competitive 143/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Raza played a pivotal role, crafting an impressive innings of 62 runs off 42 balls, embellished with 5 fours and 2 sixes. Supporting contributions came from Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (26), Sean Williams (14) and Luke Jongwe (13). The Sri Lankan bowling attack stood out with notable displays from Maheesh Theekshana (2/16) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/19).
Also READ: Fans praise Sikandar Raza as his resi๊lient batting propels Zimbabwe to a competitive total against Sri Lanka in 1st T20🌳I
Sri Lankan registers a thrilling victory
In pursuit of the target set by Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka faced a challenging task of 144 runs. Angelo Mathews (46) and Dasun Shanaka (26*) emerged as the primary architects of Sri Lanka’s innings, guiding their team to victory in the last ball of the match. Despite Sikandar Raza’s impactful all-around performance, picking 3 wickets for 13 runs in his four overs, Sri Lanka showcased resilience and determination to secure a thrilling win. Mathews was named player of the match in the end.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Sikandar ☂Raza was exceptional!!!! The whole team tried . Better luc♏k next time Chevrons.
— AALIYAH NICOLE (@aaliyah_asani)
A stupendous all꧅-round show from Sikandar Raza, but comeback man Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka did the rescue act for Sri Lanka, before🐟 Dushmantha Chameera held his cool at the finish 👏
A Sunday thriller in Colombo!
— Usman awan (@Malikusmanawann)
Sikandar Raza will go down as one of our best Cricketers in Zimbabwe. He just was part of the🌠 generation that was affected by leadership issues
— ✞ (@cruelsankara)
Mathews and Shanaka(two current fav SL batters) have done it for Srilanka
Another fine all round performance by Sikandar Raza came in lဣosing✱ cause, you gotta feel for him but warra game of cricket🔥🔥— Ahsaan Elahi (@Callme_ahsaan)
Sikandar Raza, the one man Army for Zimbabwe
He was the top-scorer as 🐈well as the most successful bowler for hi🍎s side
— Omar Faruque (@OmarFar46196492)
Our struggle with the bat & the ball overpowers the joy of a win. More factors to be worried and concerned about. On the other hand, well played Zimbabwౠe, ൩almost took the game away from us !!
— Prabath🇱🇰 (@Prabathkv96)
Experienced duo Mathews and S🧜hanaka take Sri Lank𒉰a home as 🇱🇰 BEAT Zimbabwe by 3 wickets!
A fantastic start to the 3-match T2ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ0I series with a 1-0🎐 lead!🎉
📝 Full Scorecard:
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC)
Sri Lanka win the 1st T20I by 3 wickets,ဣ to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv)
𒅌Whether you like or not, you gotta agree that Mathews is the best batsman today. Well played mathews and sha🌄naka ❤️
— Munsif Muzammir (@_munsif_)
Can't believe a certain pundit wanted Shanaka out of the side today😂 without him this whole lineup can't win vs Zimbabwe even😂😂
— Jayith Liyanage🇱🇰 (@JayithL)
Shanaka i🧜s one of the greatest srilankan playಌers of all time
— Hashim (@Hashim62396885)
Sikandar Raza. Thats it. Thats the tweet.
— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos)
Sikandar Raza is a champion Allrounder. Always stands up in crunch s🧸ituations 🔥❤️ Gritty fifty is followed by important wickets. Take a ꧂bow, SR
— Shehryar Sajid Khan (@Sskwrites)
SIKANDAR RAZA!!! What a legend he is
— Safi (@cricket747)
Sikandar Raza playing havoc with SL
— mohsinali (@mohsinaliisb)
Sikandar Raza 🇿🇼🏏
– Batting: 62 (42)
– Bowling: 3/13 (4)— Zohaib Hussain 🇵🇰 (@CricZobbiH56)
Sikandar Raza is being played like he's Rashid Khan!
— Sameer Yoonus (@samsperspective)
Sikandar Raza 🔥🔥🔥
— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi)
Sikandar Raza what a genius T20 player…
62 runs in 42 balls & 4-0-13-3— JSK (@imjsk27)
Sikandar Raza. That is his name!
— larry kwirirayi ✍📔 (@kwirirayi)
I know SKY will win T20 POY but my vote would be Sikandar Raza, carrying Zimbabwe with such consistency with both bat and ball. It's genuinely insane!
— Don Mateo (@DonMateo_X14)
What Raza has done in the last couple ofꩲ ♐years is truly insane.
— Faizan (@Sydbarrett71)