ZIM vs SL: Pathum Nissanka 122 powers Sri Lanka to ODI series win in Harare thriller

Pathum Nissanka stood tall in Harare on Sunday, crafting a calm yet commanding innings that carried Sri Lanka to a thrilling five-wicket win over Zimbabwe. His brilliant 122 became the spine of the chase, guiding the visitors to a 2–0 series win in style. At moments when composure was needed most, Nissanka answered with patience, precision, and quiet authority.

He began cautiously, pacing himself to a half-century off 54 balls without letting the pressure dictate his strokeplay. As the innings matured, so did his tempo, bringing up a century from 111 deliveries with crisp boundaries. Anchored by 16 fours, his knock was a mix of steady rotation and timely aggression, ensuring Sri Lanka never lost grip on their pursuit of 278.

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Zimbabwe had earlier posted 277 for 7, built around Ben Curran’s assured 79. Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams added useful contributions before Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 59 gave the innings late impetus. Yet Sri Lanka’s bowlers, spearheaded by Dushmantha Chameera’s three wickets, managed to keep the hosts within reach.

The chase, though, was far from straightforward. Early dismissals of Nuwanidu Fernando and Kusal Mendis left Sri Lanka wobbling, and Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 31 ended just as he looked set. But Nissanka found an ideal ally in skipper Charith Asalanka. The left-hander’s fluent 71 off 61 balls injected momentum, and together the pair stitched a decisive 90-run stand.

Nissanka eventually departed with the target in sight, but Asalanka and Janith Liyanage calmly steered the team home, sealing victory with three balls to spare. For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans struck twice apiece, yet they lacked the finishing blow to derail Sri Lanka’s chase.

Brief Scores

Zimbabwe: 277/7 in 50 overs. Ben Curran 79, Sikandar Raza 59; Dushmantha Chameera 3/52, Asitha Fernando 2/67

Sri Lanka: 278/5 in 49.3 overs. Pathum Nissanka 122, Charith Asalanka 71; Richard Ngarava 2/53, Brad Evans 2/54

Result: Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets.