Zim in SL: Sri Lanka win only Test by 4 wickets

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 4 wickets in the only Test match which ended at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium a short while ago today (18).

Chasing 388 for victory, Sri Lanka suddenly were pushed to the back-foot when they lost top wickets but the injured allrounder, Asela Gunaratne anchored to hit an unbeaten 80 off 151 deliveries to see his team through with a session remaining. 

Gunaratne, who followed the first innings knock of 45, experienced a hamstring but batted on to build up a partnership of 121 runs for the sixth with Niroshan Dickwella, who anchored Sri Lanka with an enterprising knock of 81 off 118 balls with six boundaries. 

Gunaratne also hit six boundaries while keeping his nerves down to see his team through and earned the man-of-the-match award. 

Electing to bat Zimbabwe posted 356 runs and bowled out Sri Lanka for 346 to earn a 10-run advantage. 

In the second innings Zimbabwe made 377 runs, which left Sri Lanka to chase 388 for victory. 

For Zimbabwe Craig Ervine made 160 off 256 balls inclusive of 13 fours and a six in the first innings while Sikandar Raza made 127 off 205 balls inclusive of nine fours and a six in the second innings. 

Raza's knock helped Zimbabwe, who were 5 wickets down for 59, to reach a respectable total which gave the hosts a challenging target.

Zimbabwe 

First innings 356 all out (94.4) (Craig Ervine 160, Sean Williams 22, Sikandar Raza 36, Malcolm Waller 36, Donald Tiripano 27, Rangana Herath 5/116, Asela Gunaratne 2/28, Lahiru Kumara 2/68)

Second innings 377 all out (107.1) (Sean Williams 22, Sikandar Raza 127, Peter Moor 40, Malcolm Waller 68, Graeme Cremer 48, Rangana Herath 6/133, Dilruwan Perera 3/95) 

Sri Lanka

First innings 346 all out (102.3) (Dimuth Karunaratne 25, Upul Thranga 71, Dinesh Chandimal 55, Angelo Mathews 41, Dilruwan Perera 33, Asela Gunaratne 45, Rangana Herath 22, Graeme Cremer 5/125, Sean Williams 2/62)

Second innings 391 for 6 wickets (114.5) (TARGET 388 runs) (Dimuth Karunaratne 49, Upul Tharanga 27, Kusal Mendis 66, Angelo Mathews 25, Niroshan Dickwella 81, Asela Gunaratne 80n.o, Dilruwan Perera 29n.o, Graeme Cremer 4/150, Sean Williams 2/146)