Zimbabwe stunned Sri Lanka with a 67-run win in the Pakistan T20 Tri-Series at Rawalpindi, marking their biggest-ever T20 victory over a full ICC member. Left-arm pacer Brad Evans starred with 3-9, while Richard Ngarava added 2-15 as Zimbabwe bowled out Sri Lanka for just 95.
Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe were 40/2 before Brian Bennett (49 off 42) and skipper Sikandar Raza (47 off 32) forged a crucial 60-run partnership.
Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Zimbabwe posted a defendable 162/8.
Chasing 163, Sri Lanka stumbled immediately. Early wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera left them reeling at 29/4. Captain Dasun Shanaka’s lone resistance of 34 off 25 couldn’t prevent a dramatic collapse.
Only Bhanuka Rajapaksa, besides Shanaka, reached double figures, and extras were the second-highest contributor to the Sri Lankan total.
Reflecting on the defeat, Shanaka said “I think the intent was not there from the beginning. We cannot accept, with the players and experience we’ve got [this batting performance]. Hopefully, we can turn this around quickly.”
