SL vs ZIM 1st T20I Results

5:19 PM IST Right then, that’s it from this thriller of a contest but there’s plenty more action coming your way in the remaining two T20Is in the series. The second T20I will be played at the same venue and that game will start at 7.00 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT). But as you know, you can always join in early for the build-up. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

5:19 PM IST The victorious skipper of Sri Lanka Wanindu Hasaranga says the bowlers did well but the batters needed to be a bit more clinical. Adds that the ball was turning so he and Maheesh Theekshana took good use of the conditions. Adds that they have a balanced side with quality finishers in Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka and himself down the order as finishers so they would like the middle-order to take the game a bit closer from next time.

5:14 PM IST Skipper of Zimbabwe Sikandar Raza says that he is proud of his side and the way they played this game. Adds that he is still very confident his team will change the fortune of Zimbabwean cricket. He also mentioned that 145 looked to be a decent score on the pitch and they managed nearly that. Credits the Lankans players for the way the hosts handled the pressure right at the end. Closes by saying that he would personally be happy when his team wins and there is no enjoyment until they turn the ship around which they have promised the Zimbabean fans back at their home.

5:13 PM IST Angelo Mathews is the player of the match for his brilliant all-round performance. He is up for a quick chat and says he felt like playing his debut being in the side after 3 long years and he felt that the wicket was a bit on the slower side and the set batters needed to bat deep. Adds that Sikandar Raza played a brilliant game of cricket but ended on the wrong side of the game but such stuff happens. Mentions that they needed to keep rotating the strike in between the boundary deliveries and they managed to do that relatively well.

5:09 PM IST Time for the presentation ceremony...

5:05 PM IST Earlier in the game, Zimbabwe posted a total of 143 thanks to their skipper Sikandar Raza who was brilliant with the bat as he scored 62 runs for his side. The batters did get starts but couldn't capitalize as wickets kept tumbling regularly. The bowling from the hosts was good too but in bits and pieces. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana picked up a couple each while Dushmantha Chameera accompanied them with a wicket to his name.