Zimbabwe denied by 7 runs as Sri Lanka survive Raza scare

HARARE: Sri Lanka held their nerve to beat Zimbabwe by 7 runs in a thrilling finish to the opening ODI of the two-match series on Friday, despite a fighting knock from Sikandar Raza.

Chasing 299 for victory, Zimbabwe looked down and out after slipping to 2 for 2 inside the opening over, with Asitha Fernando removing Brian Bennett for a first-ball duck and Brendan Taylor for nought soon after.

But skipper Sean Williams (57 off 54) and opener Ben Curran (70 off 90) steadied the innings with a 118-run stand.

The momentum then shifted when Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Williams and later Madhevere (8), before striking again in the penultimate over to derail Zimbabwe’s late charge.

Brave fight, heartbreak finish . . . as Zimbabwe fall to Sri Lanka in a last-over thriller.

Match Details 👉 https://t.co/QHcf46sesK#ZIMvSL #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/41NVHNtO7l

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) August 29, 2025

The chase revolved around Raza, who produced a brilliant 92 off 87 balls, striking 8 boundaries in a counterattacking knock that kept the visitors in contention until the 49th over.

With Zimbabwe needing 10 off the final six balls, Raza’s dismissal at 289 proved decisive, as Sri Lanka held on to restrict Zimbabwe to 291 for 8 in their 50 overs.

Fernando (3-50) and Madushanka (4-62) were the pick of the bowlers, striking at crucial moments, while Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana kept the pressure with tight spells.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had piled up 298 for 6, built around Pathum Nissanka’s patient 76, Janith Liyanage’s fluent 70 not out, and Kamindu Mendis’ 57 off 36 balls in the final flourish.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled for breakthroughs, with Richard Ngarava (2-34) the pick of the attack, while Blessing Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams chipped in with one wicket apiece.

🚨 Sikandar Raza gave it his all 🚨

– Even at 39, still carrying Zimbabwe on his shoulders. Lost by only 7 runs, but won hearts. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tDJlq5chjy

— Sarvada 💙 (@ImSarvada) August 29, 2025

The result gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with the decider set to be played later this week.

The two-match series is Zimbabwe’s first 50-over assignment since returning from suspension, while Sri Lanka are using the games to fine-tune ahead of the Champions Trophy qualifiers.

On the eve of the ODI series opener, Zimbabwe suffered a major setback as skipper Craig Ervine was left out of the squad due to injury.

According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), an MRI scan on Thursday confirmed that the 40-year-old had sustained a Grade II strain in his left calf, along with a chronic and resolving Grade I strain in his right calf, ruling him out of the entire series.

In Ervine’s absence, veteran all-rounder Sean Williams will captain Zimbabwe in the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

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The second Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe ODI will be played on August 31, after which the two sides will turn their focus to a three-match T20I series.