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Kumar Sangakkara cracked 57 as Sri Lanka reached a useful, if not insurmountable, 171 for 7 in the third of five ODIs against Zimbabwe in Harare. The performance of the home side in the first two matches left a lot to be desired and, although a target of 172 from 28 overs ought to be out of their reach by some distance, their bowlers at least acquitted themselves well by picking up seven wickets.

In a match reduced to 28 overs Zimbabwe, who chose to bowl first, began in positive fashion when Tawanda Mupariwa trapped Mahela Udawatte for another low score. It wasn’t long before Upal Tharanga took advantage of Zimbabwe’s lack of discipline, taking Mupariwa for two consecutive fours through mid-off and mid-on. A third came in the next over off Elton Chigumbura but the bowler fought back to have him caught behind for 29.

Zimbabwe, bowling in helpful conditions, had begun to exert pressure on Sri Lanka for the first time this series. A lazy, wasteful cut from Mahela Jayawardene off Chigumbura reduced Sri Lanka to a wobbly 51 for 3 but Sangakkara ensured Zimbabwe were put firmly back in their box, gliding to fifty from 55 balls.

He did give a chance, however, when on 14 he offered Prosper Utseya a return catch that he couldn’t hold on to. Thereafter, he was in control of proceedings, sweeping the same bowler two overs later for two successive fours. A beautiful clout over Ray Price’s head kept the momentum with Sri Lanka, before he milked Chigumbura to bring up his 55-ball fifty.

However, he fell for 57 in the dying overs when he attempted a huge stroke off Chigumbura, miscuing it to mid-on, but Jehan Mubarak added 22 from 21 balls, lofting Sri Lanka to 171. It ought to be plenty enough for Sri Lanka to make it three wins on the trot.

Source:Cricket News

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