Asalanka’s dazzling century shines in rain-washed first ODI
Charith Asalanka’s magnificent century shone brightly despite rains washing out the opening game of the three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
Chasing 274 to win, the tourists were 12 for 2 when a downpour interrupted the run chase after just four overs into their innings. Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka continued his form from the 50-over ICC World Cup in India, dismissing Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and captain Craig Ervine in his second over, leaving the tourists struggling at 5-2 in pursuit of a challenging total.
Madushanka bowled Kamunhukamwe with the first ball of his second over before trapping Ervine at first slip with the fifth ball, making early breakthroughs in Zimbabwe’s chase.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, facing early setbacks with regular wickets falling. However, Asalanka displayed incredible composure and skill, crafting a splendid innings amidst the pressure. His unbeaten 101 stabilised the innings and propelled Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 273 for 9 in their 50 overs.
Asalanka’s innings showcased resilience, adaptability to the conditions and calculated aggression. His eighth-wicket partnership with Dushmantha Chameera (52 runs off 42 balls) was pivotal in setting a challenging target for the Zimbabwean team. He reached his century with a flick over the leg side boundary off Blessing Muzarabani’s bowling, celebrating the remarkable milestone with gusto.
The deputy skipper hit five boundaries and four sixes in his 95-ball vigil before being run out just three balls before their innings ended.
At the outset of the game, opener Avishka Fernando departed for a five-ball duck while trying to defend against Richard Ngarava. The outside edge went to wicketkeeper Clive Madande, resulting in the hosts losing their first wicket without adding any runs to the total.
Following this, captain Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrema built a quick 63-run partnership for the second wicket in 8.1 overs, putting pressure on the visitors. Samarawickrema showed aggressive strokeplay, hitting eight boundaries in his 31-ball 41, while Mendis played a supporting role, accumulating runs steadily.
However, when Ngarava returned to bowl over the wicket, he delivered a well-pitched ball aimed precisely at the off-side. Samarawickrama, in his aggressive approach, once again found himself in trouble, resulting in an edge that was caught by first slip fielder Craig Ervine, leading to his dismissal.
Debutant Janith Liyanage scored 21 runs, while former skipper Dasun Shanaka struggled hitting only eight runs, raising questions about his selection to the ODI side despite consistent failure with the bat.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Faraz Akram each picked up two wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to 273 for 9 in their 50 overs.
The rain interruption ultimately led to the match being abandoned. The second match of the series is scheduled to take place at the same venue tomorrow.
| SCORECARD | |
| Sri Lanka Avishka Fernando c Madande b Ngarava 00 (Angled delivery, moving away from the bat, attempts to block, but edges it behind) Kusal Mendis run out 46 (Length ball, plays towards midwicket, takes a regulation single, Raza throws the ball direct to non-striker’s end) Sadeera Samarawickrama c Ervine b Ngarava 41 (Length ball on the off, one that should have defended was played poorly, only to be caught at first slip) Janith Liyanage c Raza b Akram 24 (Pitched up and angles towards middle stump, attempts to drive over mid-on, but caught) Charith Asalanka run out 101 (Overpitched delivery outside off, driven to point, but confusion causes a slight delay) Sahan Arachchige c and b Akram 11 (Fullish delivery, goes across and drives, but off a half shot) Dasun Shanaka c Burl b Muzarabani 08 (Full, wide outside off, drives away, caught comfortably at point) Maheesh Theekshana b Raza 10 (Fullish delivery outside off, plays late, misses and brushes outside edge of off stump) Dushmantha Chameera c Burl b Muzarabani 18 (Short of length, outside off, attempts to play straight, but end up being caught at mid-off) Jeffrey Vandersay not out 03 Dilshan Madushanka not out 03 Extras (b4, w4) 08 Total (for 9 wickets; 50 overs) 273 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Fernando, 0.5ov), 2-63 (Samarawickrama, 8.6ov), 3-111 (Liyanage, 18.5ov), 4-125 (Mendis, 21.2ov), 5-162 (Arachchige, 30.2ov), 6-185 (Shanaka, 36.5ov), 7-208 (Theekshana, 41.2ov), 8-260 (Chameera, 48.2ov), 9-269 (Asalanka, 49.3ov) Bowling: Richard Ngarava 6.4-1-39-2, Blessing Muzarabani 10-1-62-2, Faraz Akram 10-0-58-2, Tapiwa Mufudza 10-0-37-0, Sikandar Raza 10-0-41-1, Ryan Burl 3.2-0-32-0 Zimbabwe Takudzwanashe Kaitano not out 00 Tinashe Kumunhukamwe b Madushanka 00 (Good delivery, looks like it was moving outside off, but swings inwards, attempts to square it off, finds inside edge) Craig Ervine c Arachchige b Madushanka 00 (Fullish, full volley, attempts to cover drive, edges and caught at first slip) Milton Shumba not out 02 Extras (b4, lb5) 09 Total (2 wickets; 4 overs) 12 Did not bat: Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Faraz Akram, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tapiwa Mufudza Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Kamunhukamwe, 2.1ov), 2-5 (Ervine, 2.5ov) Bowling: Dilshan Madushanka 2-2-0-2, Dushmantha Chameera 2-1-3-0 |