By Krishna Dua 
Madushanka Hat-trick Seals Thrilling Win for Sri Lanka
In a heart-stopping encounter at the Harare Sports Club, Sri Lanka secured a dramatic seven-run victory over a resilient Zimbabwe side, thanks to a final-over hat-trick from their left-arm fast bowler, Dilshan Madushanka. The match, a rollercoaster of emotions and fortunes, seemed to be slipping away from the visitors as Zimbabwe’s star all-rounder Sikandar Raza was poised to guide his team to a stunning victory. However, in a moment of pure magic and remarkable composure, Madushanka snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, writing a new chapter in the history of Sri Lankan cricket.
The win gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the two-match ODI series, a significant achievement on their first tour to Zimbabwe since 2008. The game was a perfect advertisement for the ODI format, with both teams pushing each other to the limit in a high-scoring thriller that went down to the very last ball.
Sri Lanka’s Innings: A Tale of Resilience and Power
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe’s stand-in captain Sean Williams opted to bowl first, a decision that seemed to pay off immediately. Sri Lanka’s opener Nishan Madushka was dismissed for a duck, clean bowled by Richard Ngarava in the first over. But this early setback did not deter the Sri Lankan batsmen.
A solid 100-run partnership for the second wicket between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis laid the foundation for a competitive total. Nissanka was the chief aggressor, playing a fluent innings of 76 runs from 92 balls, while Kusal Mendis provided excellent support with a composed 38. Their partnership brought Sri Lanka back on track, but a mini-collapse followed as the middle order, including captain Charith Asalanka, struggled to accelerate against Zimbabwe’s spinners.
Just when Zimbabwe thought they had the game in their grasp, a breathtaking counter-attack was launched by Sri Lanka’s lower-middle order. Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis put on a sensational 137-run partnership for the sixth wicket, turning the tide of the match completely. Both batsmen were in sublime form, hitting boundaries and sixes with remarkable freedom. Janith Liyanage, in particular, was magnificent, smashing an unbeaten 70 runs off just 47 balls. Kamindu Mendis, on the other hand, scored a blistering 57 runs off 36 balls before being dismissed off the last ball of the innings by Richard Ngarava. Their explosive partnership propelled Sri Lanka to a commanding total of 298 for 6, a score that looked out of reach for much of the middle overs.
Zimbabwe’s Valiant Chase: Sikandar Raza’s Heroics
Chasing a challenging target of 299, Zimbabwe’s innings began in disastrous fashion. In a sensational opening spell, Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando, who was brilliant all day, delivered a double blow in the very first over, dismissing Brian Bennett and the veteran Brendan Taylor, who was making his first ODI appearance since 2021. Zimbabwe found themselves reeling at 0 for 2, and the chase seemed all but over.
However, the home side showed remarkable character and resilience. Ben Curran and Sean Williams stitched together a crucial 118-run partnership for the third wicket, providing a much-needed sense of calm. Both batsmen reached their half-centuries, with Ben Curran scoring a solid 70 and Sean Williams contributing a quick-fire 57. Their partnership not only stabilized the innings but also brought Zimbabwe right back into the contest.
After their dismissals, it was the turn of Sikandar Raza to step up. The experienced all-rounder, known for his ability to perform under pressure, took charge of the chase. He found an excellent partner in Tony Munyonga, and the duo formed a brilliant 128-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Raza played a magnificent innings, scoring 92 runs from 87 balls, with eight boundaries. He was a picture of composure, rotating the strike and finding the boundaries when needed, bringing Zimbabwe to the very brink of victory. With only 10 runs required from the final over and five wickets in hand, the Harare crowd was ready to celebrate a famous victory.
The Final Over: Madushanka’s Magical Hat-trick
The stage was set for a grandstand finish. With the pressure mounting, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka handed the ball to Dilshan Madushanka, who had an otherwise decent day with the ball. The task was simple but monumental: defend 10 runs against the well-set Sikandar Raza.
The first ball of the final over proved to be the turning point of the entire match. Madushanka bowled a perfectly pitched delivery that went across Raza. The Zimbabwean batsman, in an attempt to scoop it, missed the ball completely, and the middle stump was uprooted. The crowd was silenced. Raza, dejected, walked back to the pavilion, his brilliant innings of 92 coming to a heartbreaking end.
The momentum had swung dramatically. With a new batsman, Brad Evans, at the crease, Madushanka followed up his heroics with another exceptional delivery. Evans attempted to scoop the ball over short fine leg but failed to get the elevation, and the ball was caught by a diving Asitha Fernando. Two balls, two wickets.
The stadium was now buzzing with nervous energy. On strike was the new batsman, Richard Ngarava. With a chance at a hat-trick, Madushanka ran in and bowled a full delivery that once again hit the stumps, clean-bowling Ngarava. The celebrations erupted. The entire Sri Lankan team mobbed Madushanka in a state of pure euphoria. He had done it. A hat-trick at the most crucial moment of the game.
His final bowling figures were an impressive 4 for 62 from his 10 overs. The hat-trick was the eighth by a Sri Lankan bowler in ODIs, a testament to his talent and composure under pressure. After the match, a visibly ecstatic Madushanka said, “I am just so happy to do this on my comeback. Very happy that we executed our collective plans at the death.”
Conclusion: A Thrilling Start to the Series
The first ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe was a classic encounter, a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket. It had everything: a strong comeback, a record-breaking partnership, a nail-biting finish, and a heroic performance that will be etched in the memories of fans for a long time. While Zimbabwe will rue the missed opportunity, they can take heart from the performances of Sikandar Raza, Ben Curran, and Sean Williams, who fought valiantly until the very end.
For Sri Lanka, the victory is a massive confidence booster ahead of the second and final ODI of the series. The performances of Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage, and Kamindu Mendis with the bat, and the brilliant final-over heroics of Dilshan Madushanka with the ball, show that the team has the talent and the temperament to win under pressure. With the series on the line, the second ODI promises to be another thrilling contest between these two passionate teams