Nissanka stars again as Sri Lanka lead Zimbabwe T20 series
Pathum Nissanka top scored with a swift 55 as Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in Harare on Wednesday in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.
Zimbabwe posted 175-7 in 20 overs, thanks mainly to 81 runs from opener Brian Bennett, and Sri Lanka reached 177-6 with five balls to spare.
We held our nerve and secured a thrilling victory! Sri Lanka wins the first T20I against Zimbabwe by 4 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series! #ZIMvSL #SriLankaCricket #LionsRoar pic.twitter.com/WAUCWUSuGw
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 3, 2025
The teams meet again on Saturday and Sunday.
After 27-year-old right-hand bat Nissanka played a pivotal role with a half century and a century in a 2-0 one-day international series victory, he proved equally successful in the shorter format.
His 15th T20 half century came off 32 balls and included four fours and two sixes before a top edge off the bowling of Tinotenda Maposa was caught by wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani.
Our Mr. Consistent, Pathum Nissanka, keeps delivering no matter the format! 🤩 Another fantastic performance from him today! #ZIMvSL #PathumNissanka #srilankaCricket pic.twitter.com/gzOjmDgfko
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 3, 2025
His exit triggered a mini-collapse as four Sri Lankan wickets fell in 19 balls with the tourists adding just 10 runs to reach 106-4.
But an unbeaten 41 from Kamindu Mendis off 16 balls, including four sixes, steadied the tourists' innings. His main support came from Dushan Hemantha (14 not out).
Man of the Match, Kamindu Mendis! 🎉
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 3, 2025
An incredible match-winning knock of 41 not out from just 16 balls. What a sensational performance to get us over the line!#ZIMvSL #KaminduMendis #LionsRoar pic.twitter.com/y3xfjl0W3q
Quick Richard Ngarava, with 2-19 in four overs, was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers at Harare Sports Club.
Bennett fell 10 runs short of his best T20 score as he notched a fifth T20 half century.
Fifth T20I fifty for Brian Bennett 👏
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) September 3, 2025
📝: https://t.co/hkdQQpwMMv#ZIMvSL #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/GP8V1tuyU8
Attempting a scoop shot, Bennett was the victim of a yorker from quick Dushmantha Chameera (3-30) that uprooted the middle stump.
The only other Zimbabwe batter to pass the 20-run mark was captain Sikandar Raza, who made 28 before being caught by Nissanka at deep midwicket off the bowling of Hemantha.
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