Dilshan Madushanka picked four-wicket haul and helped Sri Lanka to post a thrilling victory against Zimbabwe in the first ODI game.

His impressive hat-trick in the last over secures a 7-run victory for Sri Lanka. The Visitors secured a 1-0 lead in the Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe 2025.

Batting first, Pathum Nissanka and Nishan Madushka opened the innings for Sri Lanka, where Nishan was sent out on a duck by Ngarava.

However, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka made a 100-run partnership before Mendis lost his wicket for 38 runs to Sean Williams.

With the dismissal of Nissanka for 76 runs by Muzarabani, Smarawickrama lost his wicket to Sikandar Raza on a lbw.

Despite Aslanka’s dismissal for 6 runs, Janithy Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis forged a 137 run partnership where Liyanage went on to score unbeaten 70 runs while Mendis scored 57 runs before being dismissed by Ngarava.

Ships Piched Two WICKets Whilwa in Fambani, a pudzan, a Sean Williams Picced EACH.

In the pursuit of chasing 299 run target, Brian Bennett and Ben Curran opened the innings where Fernando picked the wicket of Brian Bennett and Brendan Taylor for duck in the first over itself.

However Ben Curran and Sean Williams forged a 118 run partnership before the dismissal of Williams for 57 runs.

Meanwhile, Fernando picked the wicket of Ben Curran for 70 runs. Despite Wessly Madhevere’s dismissal for 8 runs by Madushanka put Sri Lanka in tough spot in 161/5.

Sikandar Raza’s 92 runs and Tondy Munyonga’s 43 runs has helped the side march towards victory.

However, Raza, Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava’s dismissal on consecutive deliveries in the last over has helped the side to post only 291 runs in the 50 overs and narrowly losing the game by 7 runs.

Dilshan Madushanka was named as the Player of the match. Speaking on the post match conference, he said, “I was playing after a whole in ODI cricket and more than happy to perform well. We had a plan on how to execute in the death overs, that’s what I was thinking and to make a good comeback.”

The second ODI will be palyed on August 31 at Harare Sports Club.