Kamindu Mendis Blitz Helps Sri Lanka Edge Zimbabwe in Opening T20I Thriller

A sensational late blitz from Kamindu Mendis rescued Sri Lanka from a dramatic collapse and denied Zimbabwe a famous win in the opening T20I at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. Chasing 176, the visitors were cruising at 96/0 before a flurry of wickets brought Zimbabwe roaring back into the contest. But Mendis kept his nerve, hammering 41* off just 20 balls to take Sri Lanka home with four wickets and five balls to spare.

Sri Lanka looked set for a comfortable chase after openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis got them off to a flying start. Nissanka, who had been in red-hot form during the ODI series, continued his purple patch with a commanding 55. The duo put on 96 for the first wicket in just 10 overs, with Nissanka taking the attack to Blessing Muzarabani early on and bringing up his half-century in style.

However, Zimbabwe turned the game on its head in a dramatic middle-over burst. Nissanka fell to a miscued pull, sparking a collapse that saw four wickets fall in the space of 19 balls. Richard Ngarava struck twice in one over to remove both Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis, before Sikandar Raza dismissed Charith Asalanka. Zimbabwe tightened their grip with Muzarabani removing Nuwanidu Fernando and Brad Evans making amends for a dropped catch by sending Dasun Shanaka back.

At 143/6, Sri Lanka needed 34 off 18 balls, with the match hanging in the balance. Enter Kamindu Mendis.

The all-rounder turned the game decisively in Sri Lanka’s favor with a game-changing 18th over, smashing Tinotenda Maposa for 26 runs with two sixes and a boundary. With the pressure back on Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka eased to victory in the 20th over.

Earlier, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 175/7, thanks largely to a blistering knock of 81 from Brian Bennett. Despite a shaky start where he edged the first two deliveries for boundaries, Bennett settled in and launched an assault on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Partnering with captain Sikandar Raza, Bennett powered Zimbabwe to 157/3 in 18 overs before Dushmantha Chameera pegged them back with a superb penultimate over, removing both Bennett and Ryan Burl.

That late slowdown proved costly as Zimbabwe were unable to cross the 180-mark, finishing with 175 — a total that ultimately proved just below par.

Brief Scores:

Zimbabwe 175/7 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 81; Dushmantha Chameera 3/30)
Sri Lanka 177/6 in 19.1 overs (Pathum Nissanka 55, Kamindu Mendis 41*; Richard Ngarava 2/19)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets
Player of the Match: Kamindu Mendis

Sri Lanka now lead the three-match T20I series 1-0, with the second game scheduled for later this week.