SL vz ZIM 2nd T20I: Zimbabwe got the better of Sri Lanka for the first time in T20 Internationals in the second T20I of the three-match series to level it 1-1. More than the win it was the manner in which they got to it at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo that made headlines. It wasn't a straightforward victory but one in which they had to fight till the last over to get past the winning line. Opting to field first, Zimbabwe needed 174 to win but eventually got there with 2 balls to spare.
Craig Ervine was the star with the bat for Zimbabwe as he scored 70 off 54 deliveries. However, when the last over started, Ervine was back in the pavilion after playing an innings studded with six fours and two sixes, that came at a strike rate of 129.62. With 6 balls left, Zimbabwe needed 20 runs to win which seemed a daunting task but as it turned out the hosts had it in them to emerge as the victors.
SL vs ZIM 2nd T20I: Thrilling Last Over
Luke Jongwe and Clive Mandane were the batters out in the middle for Zimbabwe who finished the job for them. They were helped by a no-ball from Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews who was trusted to bowl the final over. Jongwe smashed the no-ball for a six over long on to take seven runs without a legitimate delivery before smashing the free-hit ball for a boundary.
The next ball too was smashed for a six down the ground before a dot ball. The next ball Sri Lanka had an opportunity but Maheesh Theekshana dropped the catch, allowing Jongwe a run and the strike to Mandane who scored a six off the penultimate ball off the over to take 24 runs instead of the required 20 to win with a ball still remaining.
Jongwe was adjudged the Player Of The Match for his all-round performance with figures of 2/32 and an invaluable 25* off 12 that saw the team get through to the target.