straight as an arrow! Slot ball on off. Chameera clubs it straight back, forcing the umpire to duck, and that's four to end the match. Sri Lanka win by two wickets
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI at Colombo, SL v ZIM, Jan 08 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary
That brings us to the end of the proceedings from this thrilling low-scorer. Who would have thought that chasing even 209 would turn out to be a task on what was supposed to be a batting-friendly pitch, and with rain around? But Ngrava's maiden five-for showed Zimbabwe the way, only for them to barely fall short. That's it from us tonight, as we bid you goodbye and good night. Take care!
Ran: "I am Sri Lankan , but feel for Ngarava as he bowled brilliantly. "
Kusal Mendis, the winning captain, speaks in Sinhalese, and says he isn't too happy with how Sri Lanka batted. But he's satisfied with Liyanage's performance, and wants to improve in the future.
Craig Ervine: "We batted reasonably well. We had a decent platform, but couldn't cash in at the back end. We thought 240-250 was a decent score. Losing so many wickets in the back end put us back. Credit to them. Richie took his maiden five-for... Had we taken the chances, it could have been a different story."
Janith Liyanage is the Player of the Match for his 95: "The ball was moving a bit when I went to the middle. I thought if I could stay till the end, we could win. It was a bit tricky because the wicket was on the slower side, and the pace varied a bit. [It was] a bit tacky. We were behind on DLS [when I got out], so I thought if we could get four more runs."
Time for the presentations
Ash: "Didn't expect such an interesting game. Pity, I couldn't see it live."
Zubair Islam: "A real nail-biter. Thank God I don't belong to SL or Zim, otherwise could have been very tense"
10.48pm A topsy-turvy game that is eventually decided by a ninth-wicket partnership of 39 in 41 balls. A terrific lower-order resistance from Liyanage, Chameera and Vandersay give the hosts a 1-0 series lead. Don't forget Theekshana's contribution too with the bat, adding to his four-wicket haul that restricted Zimbabwe to 208 in the afternoon. A match to remember for Ngarava for his maiden five-wicket haul, but unfortunately for him, not in a winning cause. A terrific ODI. Himanshu shall bring the presentations shortly.
knee-high full toss. Flicked to deep midwicket. They settle for one.
overpitched around off. Toe-ends a drive to the off side
only three to win.
full ball around off. Driven beautifully, through the covers! The ball skids along the wet-ish carpet, and that's four in front of square.
Robbin: "Who says ODI format is dead! Reminiscent of 1990s times"
Zubair Islam : "Those two overs by Burl n zim batting full quota of overs were big errors, though Zim might still sneak through "
whattay! Length ball around off stump. Vandersay moves to the off side and manages to open up the leg side before paddling a shot over short fine leg! Risky with the infielder in the circle, but enough in that shot to clear it
length ball around off. Drive attempted but hits the top-half of his bat
Eleven to win in 12 balls, with SL slightly ahead on DLS too in case the rain gets heavier.
good length ball outside off. Chameera tries to play at it away from his body. Misses. Caught behind appeal! Turned down.
short of a length ball aimed at Chameera's head. The tall man ducks under it
rain getting heavier. Heavier than when we had that first interruption. Zimbabwe need 1 magic ball for sure for a wicket. SL are ahead on DLS by a little bit
fullish ball outside off. Driven to deep extra cover for a single
short of length ball on middle and off. Goes for the pull. Misses
the second no-ball bowled by Muzarabani today. At a crucial time.
DLS par score at the end of the 48th over: 196
short of length ball on middle and off. Fends off the back foot. And it is a no ball. Free hit coming up
full ball around off. Fended towards cover point and they scurry across for that single
just past the outside edge! Fullish ball outside off and Chameera tried to poke at it
Muzarabani to bowl out.
full ball around off stump. Defended off the front foot.
rain getting heavier
chipped to long off. Full ball outside off and hit down the V. Sri Lanka have snuck ahead on DLS now and there's a lot of cheer
low full toss around off. On-drive to wide long on
rain getting heavier
length ball just outside off. Pushed to midwicket's left but Shumba dives to keep it down to zero
full ball driven to mid on
Stat alert: Chameera is playing his 50th ODI today. Made his debut 8.5 years ago!
full ball just outside off. Gently driven to long off for a single
full on leg. Flicked uppishly over the square-leg umpire but the fielders run around to keep it down to just two
Over 49 • SL 211/8
Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)