Chasing 303, Sri Lanka could only manage to reach 280/9 in their allotted 50 overs, losing the contest by 22 runs. Captain Dasun Shanaka‘s heroics with the bat went in vain after he smashed a brilliant century in the match.
Shanaka was dismissed by Wesley Madhevere in the 45th over when the hosts needed 56 runs to win the fixture. The Lankan skipper scored 102 off 94 deliveries with the help of 11 boundaries, including four humungous sixes.
Apart from Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis (57 off 82) and Chamika Karunaratne (34 off 38) chipped in with some contributions, but it wasn’t enough as the rest of the batting line-up failed, and the home team lost the match.
For the visitors, Blessing Muzarabani (3/56) and Tendai Chatara (3/52) picked up three wickets each, while Madhevere (1/30) Richard Ngarava (1/41) bagged one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Zimbabwe, after opting to bat, first posted 302/8 in their stipulated 50 overs. Captain Craig Ervine led from the front and kept the momentum towards the tourists. Although, Ervine missed out from his century by just nine runs after Maheesh Theekshana (1/49) cleaned him up.
Other than Ervine, wicketkeeper-batter Regis Chakabva (47 off 50), Sean Williams (48 off 56), and Sikandar Raza (56 iff 46) made valuable contributions to make sure Zimbabwe breached the 300-run mark.
Jeffrey Vandersay was the pick of the bowler for Sri Lanka, taking a three-wicket haul for 51 runs from nine overs. Nuwan Pradeep bagged a couple as well, but he was a bit expensive, conceding 74 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on Friday, January 21.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Zimbabwe seal a 22-run victory in the 2nd ODI.
The series is level at 1-1
? Scorecard: https://t.co/U7aJg5FLQX#SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/3oo8w4ULvt
— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) January 18, 2022
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