Sri Lanka’s left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka delivered a dramatic final over to secure a nail-biting seven-run win over Zimbabwe in Harare, giving his side a 1-0 lead in the two-match ODI series.
Zimbabwe needed just 10 runs from the last six balls, but Madushanka turned the game on its head by removing three batters in succession, completing a remarkable hat-trick. The feat placed him alongside Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas as only the third Sri Lankan to achieve more than one hat-trick in ODI history. His first came back in 2018 against Bangladesh.
Batting first after Zimbabwe chose to field, Sri Lanka posted 298/6. Pathum Nissanka anchored the innings with 76, supported by Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who chipped in with useful contributions. The late fireworks came from Janith Liyanage (70* off 62) and Kamindu Mendis (57), who accelerated in the closing overs to push the total close to 300.
Zimbabwe’s chase began poorly with two early wickets falling in the opening over. Ben Curran and Sean Williams then steadied the innings, adding 118 runs for the third wicket, both reaching half-centuries.
The momentum shifted again when Curran and Williams departed in quick succession, leaving Sikandar Raza to carry the fight. The all-rounder’s gritty 92 from 87 balls kept Zimbabwe in contention until the very end, but his dismissal to Madushanka at the start of the final over proved decisive.
With his hat-trick sealing victory, Madushanka not only etched his name in the record books but also ensured Sri Lanka drew first blood in the series. The teams will meet again in Harare on Sunday, 31 August, for the second ODI.
