SL VS ZIM - 2nd ODI, Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024

What a game we witnessed! Zimbabwe pushed Sri Lanka right to the edge but failed to capitalize on the crunch moments. The more they play against stronger sides, the execution on their part will definitely improve. Kudos to Liyanage. Playing a knock of such composure under such pressure circumstances shows that the young man (in terms of experience) has got what it takes. Sri Lanka can't lose the series after this win as the first ODI was washed out. Join us for the 3rd and final ODI on 11th January from the same venue. This is Abhinav Guha signing off on behalf of Raju Peethala and Siva. Till then, goodye and cheers!

Kusal Mendis | Sri Lankan skipper: Credit to the bowling unit, not too happy with the overall performance because there are still a few areas we need to work on. Delighted to see Liyanage play the way he has, and we are determined to put up a good show in the next game.

Craig Ervine | Zimbabwe skipper: I thought we batted decently well for the majority of the innings, but couldn't quite cash in at the end. 240-250 would have been a decent score, but losing wickets at the end hurt us and the fielding let us down today. Dropped a few chances and that didn't help our cause.

Janith Liyanage | Player of the Match: The ball was moving a bit when I walked into the middle, the plan was to take time and stay till the end and because the wicket was on the slower side and it was a bit tacky as well. It was raining a bit at that time and I thought to myself (talking about the shot he played on 95) if I could get to 4 more runs we would be on top on DLS and unfortunately didn't time the shot.

Shanaka couldn't make a mark as SL struggled. Theekshana walked in and played the perfect foil to Liyanage. The latter played some fluent strokes and batted with an air of confidence! He went past his fifty keeping his side truly in the game. The 56-run stand between the duo was broken by the impressive Ngarava but that partnership pushed the host into the advantage. Another twist in the tale came when the well-set Liyanage fell to Muzarabani, attempting an audacious shot (trying to get ahead on DLS). He missed out on a deserved ton. Pressure was once again transferred back on the home side. But, the duo of Chameera and Vandersay was cool as a cucumber. They struck three boundaries in the penultimate over, leading SL to a victory with an over to spare. Stick around for the presentations...

22:51 Local Time, 17:21 GMT, 22:51 IST: A perfect nail-biter to sum it up! The game moved to and fro like a pendulum but the hosts have kept their calm when it mattered the most. The game was set up by the Sri Lankan spinners. The star of the show was Theekshana as he finished with a 4-fer. After Zimbabwe got bowled out for a below-par total, Ngarava came out breathing fire! He nipped the ball around and got rid of Fernando in the first over itself. Muzarabani then knocked over Mendis but he overstepped. Ngarava kept coming hard and nicked off Samarawickrama. Mendis and Liyanage were cautious but held their ends up. Rain arrived after the 13th over leading to a halt in play. There were no overs lost and there was action straightaway after the rain break. Mendis was dropped by Muzarabani but that didn't cost the visitors much as the keeper batter fell in the same over to Ngarava. The tall left-arm pacer struck once again to get rid of Asalanka for a duck. Arachchige gave support to Liyanage for a while as the score ticked on before being trapped in front by Raza.

Faraz Akram to Chameera, FOUR, Chameera seals the game in style! What a game, terrific stuff! A half-volley outside off, Chameera lines it up and smashes it towards Faraz Akram. He puts his right hand out but it goes past him even before he reacted. That was hit with so much power. Customary handshakes all around. Ervine is scratching his head. Kudos to Chameera and Vandersay for keeping their nerves

Faraz Akram to Vandersay, 1 run, a low full-toss on off, Vandersay mistimes the heave over square leg for a single. The second run might be on but Chameera says no

Faraz Akram to Vandersay, no run, fullish ball around off, Vandersay drives it straight to the fielder at covers

Faraz Akram to Vandersay, FOUR, Vandersay is taking his side closer to a memorable victory! On a fuller length outside off, Vandersay leans into it and thumps the drive past extra cover. No chance for sweeper cover to cut it off. SL are just a hit away now

Faraz Akram to Vandersay, FOUR, innovative stuff from Vandersay! This boundary certainly tilts the game in favour of Sri Lanka. Vandersay premeditates and shuffles across his stumps. His anticipation was on point, sensing it will be on a back of a length. He paddles the shot over the man at short fine to get the desired result. They are dancing in the isles

Gumbie comes up to the stumps

Faraz Akram to Vandersay, no run, slower one at 88 clicks on a good length on middle and off, Vandersay has no pace to work with and can only push it to extra cover

Faraz Akram [9.0-0-30-0] is back into the attack

SL need 11 runs off 12 balls. Looks like this is going to go down to the wire

Muzarabani to Chameera, no run, an appeal for a caught behind! Skiddy back of a length ball outside off, Chameera looks to guide it to third man and misses. There was clear daylight between bat and ball

Muzarabani to Chameera, no run, another sharp bouncer, angling in from off, Chameera is in an awkward position but manages to duck under it

The rain has picked up pace. All eyes on the umpires. SL are ahead according to DLS at present

Muzarabani to Vandersay, 1 run, pitched up ball outside off, Vandersay drives this one on the up to the right of sweeper cover for a single

Muzarabani to Vandersay, no run, a well-directed bouncer on off, Vandersay goes for a pull across the line and is beaten for pace