Sri Lanka achieved the highest successful run-chase in Pallekele after beating Zimbabwe in the first ODI as they chased down 297 with five wickets to spare.
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Sean Williams smashed a century to boost Zimbabwe to 296/9. But, fifties from Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, and Charith Asalanka helped Sri Lanka chase down the target of 297 in 48.3 overs. This was the highest successful chase in the history of ODIs in Pallekele, with Craig Ervine admitting that Zimbabwe was 20-30 runs short. Sri Lanka has now taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Zimbabwe chose to bat and they started well against the hosts.
Regis Chakabva and Takudzwanashe Kaitano started solidly, with Kaitano the more aggressive of the duo. Sri Lanka did not help matters, with Chakabva being dropped on 2 off Nuwan Pradeep. Kaitano and Chakabva regularly found the boundaries and the partnership went past fifty. Kaitano was dropped by Nissanka off Vandersay but the drop did not prove costly. The batsman was LBW for 27 a couple of balls later by Vandersay. Chakabva continued the great work by hammering a four and six off the legspinner to notch up his fourth ODI fifty.
Kamindu Mendis struck by dismissing Craig Ervine for 9 but Chakabva and Sean Williams continued the good work. Williams got going with a six with Chakabva nearing a century. But, Vandersay struck again as he removed Chakabva for a brilliant 72. Williams and Wesley Madhevere then stitched a solid stand, with Williams reaching his 33rd ODI fifty off just 51 balls.
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But, Chamika Karunaratne then sent back Madhevere for 20. Williams and Sikandar Raza then struck some aggressive boundaries. But, Pradeep broke the dangerous stand by dismissing Raza LBW for 18. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Williams held firm. He blasted a six and four to enter the 90s. In the 49th over, Williams notched up his fifth ton off 86 balls. In the final over, Zimbabwe failed to reach 300 as they lost two wickets. Richard Ngarava then hit a six and four off the final two balls to end on 296.
Kusal Mendis, then making a comeback, joined Pathum Nissanka and the duo started aggressively. Mendis raced to 26 off 23 balls but as he was looking good, he edged Blessing Muzarabani to the keeper. Nissanka did not slow down, hammering two fours off Tendai Chatara. Kamindu Mendis looked good with two fours and a six off Ngarava but he departed for 17.
Nissanka reached his fifty off 48 balls and he continued to maintain momentum. But, Raza dismissed Nissanka for 75 as Zimbabwe made use of the review. Dinesh Chandimal and Charith Asalanka were in fine form as they maintained a steady scoring rate. Asalanka and Chandimal stitched a worthy stand, with Asalanka surviving an LBW appeal that was overturned on review.
Chandimal and Asalanka both notched up fifties and the partnership was guiding Sri Lanka over the line. Chandimal increased the aggression and got the target down to 22 off 28 balls. But, Chandimal and Asalanka both perished as Sri Lanka reached the finishing line. Sri Lanka won the match by five wickets and with eight balls to spare. The second ODI will take place in Pallekele on January 18.
