After batsman’s incredible display, it was the turn of Sri Lankan bowlers, and they spellbound the fans with sublime bowling to take the visitors over the line.
Suranga Lakmal took four for 27 to set up Sri Lanka for a 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first Test at Harare on Thursday.
Zimbabwe started the Day 5 on 30 without any loss and trail by 127 runs. They lost their first batsman at 33, and that opened the flood gates of wickets. The Sean Williams-led side got all out on 170 and gave Sri Lanka to chase 14 runs only.
Innings break: Zimbabwe 170 all out, Sri Lanka need 14 runs to win. #ZIMvSL pic.twitter.com/Ie7c6FN4L0
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 23, 2020
Lakmal dismantled Zimbabwe’s top order, and he was well assisted by Lahiru Kumara, who scalped three wickets. In reply, the Dimuth Karunaratne-led team chased down the easy target of 14 runs to register a 10-wicket victory in the first Test.
Sri Lanka win the 1st Test by 10 wickets!
ZIM 358 & 170 (Lakmal 27/4, Lahiru Kumara 32/3, Embuldeniya 2/74) v SL 515/9d & 14/0. #ZIMvSL pic.twitter.com/tjCtXn4wwN
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 23, 2020
Angelo Mathews, who smashed his Test career’s maiden double hundred, was gratified with the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
The second and final game of the two-match Test series will start on Monday (Jan 27) in Harare.
Sri Lanka’s outstanding win attracted former and current cricketers to express their feelings.
Here’s how they reacted:
Excellent knock by @Angelo69Mathews he has so much to offer @OfficialSLC in every format. Best batsman in Sri Lanka for a long time now.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) January 23, 2020
Well played @Angelo69Mathews … very good knock 👍
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) January 23, 2020
Good win @OfficialSLC Not easy towards the end . Well done guys #ZIMvSL 👍👍
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) January 23, 2020
Great stuff by the boys well batted @KusalMendis1 @dds75official @NiroshanDikka and a mammoth effort by Suranga ,ambul @lahiru_k97 and all others including support staff. Thanks for all the support 🙏🙏on to the next
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) January 23, 2020
Well done for your maiden double 💯💯 @Angelo69Mathews 👏👏
A gutsy knock and well supported by @KusalMendis1 @NiroshanDikka & @Dhananjaya7575 ! Lets capitalize this lead. 👍#ZIMvSL— Danushka Gunathilaka (@danushka_70) January 22, 2020
#congratulations @Angelo69Mathews on your maiden double 100👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/Ygq3liW3y2
— Kusal Mendis (@KusalMendis13) January 23, 2020
Well played Angi Ayya @Angelo69Mathews. An amazing 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣. #ZIMvSL pic.twitter.com/rqJ1sX0fW9
— Niroshan Dickwella (@NiroshanDikka) January 23, 2020
Well played @Angelo69Mathews Keep rocking
— Thisara perera (@PereraThisara) January 23, 2020
Congratulations to Sri Lanka on their easy win by 10 wickets over Zimbabwe.
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) January 23, 2020
Congratulations @Angelo69Mathews on your maiden Test double hundred. Fantastic achievement. All the best for the rest of the series
— Rangana Herath (@HerathRSL) January 23, 2020
Congratulations @Angelo69Mathews 💯💯🎊🎊 https://t.co/ijliIRn4Yf
— Upul Tharanga (@upultharanga44) January 22, 2020
