Nissanka stars again as Sri Lanka lead Zimbabwe T20 series

AFP | Harare

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Pathum Nissanka top scored with a swift 55 as Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in Harare yesterday in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.

Zimbabwe posted 175-7 in 20 overs, thanks mainly to 81 runs from opener Brian Bennett, and Sri Lanka reached 177-6 with five balls to spare. The teams meet again on Saturday and Sunday.

After 27-year-old right-hand bat Nissanka played a pivotal role with a half century and a century in a 2-0 one-day international series victory, he proved equally successful in the shorter format.

His 15th T20 half century came off 32 balls and included four fours and two sixes before a top edge off the bowling of Tinotenda Maposa was caught by wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani.

His exit triggered a mini-collapse as four Sri Lankan wickets fell in 19 balls with the tourists adding just 10 runs to reach 106-4.