Harare- Zimbabwe produced a superb bowling and fielding display to skittle Sri Lanka for only 80 before sealing a convincing five-wicket victory in the second T20 international at Harare Sports Club on Saturday, levelling the three-match series.
Having won the toss, the hosts opted to field first – and their bowlers wasted no time in making early inroads.
Richard Ngarava conceded only four runs in the opening over before Blessing Muzarabani struck with his very first delivery, removing Kusal Mendis (4), who slashed at a short ball and was brilliantly caught by Ngarava at third man.
Sri Lanka’s troubles deepened when Pathum Nissanka (8) attempted a pull off Brad Evans, only to be superbly taken low down by Tony Munyonga.
Muzarabani struck again soon after, dismissing Nuwanidu Fernando for a miscued pull that was safely pouched by Sikandar Raza running from off, leaving the visitors tottering at 24 for three.
Kamil Mishara offered brief resistance with 20 – the top score of the innings – before Evans produced a searing yorker that beat him all ends up.
Raza then got in on the act, trapping Kamindu Mendis lbw without scoring to reduce Sri Lanka to 38 for five.
A stand of 26 between skipper Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka offered some respite, but Sean Williams broke through when Shanaka (15) was brilliantly held at short third man by Tinotenda Maposa.
Raza tightened the screws further, bowling Asalanka (18) and then dismissing Dushmantha Chameera in the same over, as the visitors slumped to 66 for eight.
From there, the end was swift. Dushan Hemantha was run out attempting a risky second run, while Maheesh Theekshana holed out to Raza in the covers off Evans, leaving Sri Lanka bundled out for 80 in just 17.4 overs.
It was a collective bowling effort, with Raza taking three for 11 and Evans three for 15 to lead the way.
Muzarabani chipped in with two wickets, while Ngarava was so effective up front that he was not even required to return after his two opening overs.
Chasing a modest target, Zimbabwe’s openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani started steadily.
Marumani signalled intent with back-to-back boundaries off Theekshana but fell for 17 off 12, skying a catch off Chameera. Williams followed two balls later without scoring, and when Raza chopped onto his stumps for two, Zimbabwe were wobbling at 27 for three.
Ryan Burl counterattacked, striking two fours off Chameera, but Bennett (19) was undone by a sharp return catch from Binura Fernando.
Munyonga’s lbw dismissal for three left Zimbabwe at 61 for five, giving Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope. That, however, was the last breakthrough.
Burl, who finished unbeaten on 20 from 22 balls, found a reliable partner in Tashinga Musekiwa, who sealed victory in style with consecutive boundaries through mid-on, ending 21 not out from just 14 deliveries. Zimbabwe reached 84 for five in 14.5 overs to level the three-match series at one-all. The decider will be played at the same venue this Sunday.