How Did Madushanka's Last-Over Hat-Trick Secure a Thrilling 7-Run Victory for Sri Lanka Against Zimbabwe?

Harare, Aug 29 (NationPress) Dilshan Madushanka executed a remarkable last-over hat-trick, aiding Sri Lanka to a nail-biting seven-run victory over hosts Zimbabwe during the inaugural ODI of the two-match series at the Harare Sports Club on Friday. What began as a typically slow encounter transformed into an exhilarating contest, as Zimbabwe appeared poised for an upset before Madushanka's brilliance turned the tide in the final over of the match, securing a thrilling triumph for the visitors.

Zimbabwe seemed on track to chase down the target until Madushanka, who had earlier bowled 9 overs for 60 runs, redeemed himself spectacularly with a hat-trick that clinched victory for Sri Lanka. He dismissed Sikandar Raza, Brad Evans, and Richard Ngarava with the first three balls of the 50th over, snatching victory from the brink of defeat.

After being put to bat first by Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka capitalized on a stellar 76 from opener Pathum Nissanka, a rapid 70 off 47 balls by Janith Liyanage, and a quick-fire 57 off 36 balls by Kamindu Mendis, recovering from an early setback where Nishan Madushanka scored a duck, to post a total of 298/6 in 50 overs. Madushanka finished with impressive figures of 4-62, while Asitha Fernando contributed with 3-50 in his 10 overs, laying the groundwork for their victory.

Zimbabwe's chase got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets without a run on the board, as Asitha Fernando struck early by dismissing Brian Bennett (0) on the first ball and sending Brendon Taylor back on the fourth ball of his first over.

Ben Curran (70 runs from 90 balls, including 8 fours) and captain Sean Williams (57 runs from 54 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes) brought the score to 118 before Williams fell to Kamindu Mendis. Zimbabwe stumbled to 140/4 in the 26th over and appeared to be losing momentum. However, all-rounder Sikandar Raza ignited the innings with a blistering 92 runs off 87 balls (8 fours) and, alongside Tony Munyonga (43 not out), propelled the team to 289. With just 10 runs needed off the last six balls, Raza became the first victim of Madushanka’s hat-trick, as his delivery sneaked through the gap between bat and pad, uprooting the middle stump.

After claiming Raza on the first delivery of the over, Madushanka had Brad Evans (0) caught by Avishka Fernando off the next ball to reduce Zimbabwe to 289/7, and completed his hat-trick by bowling out Richard Ngarava (0) with a fast, straight delivery.

Blessing Muzarabani managed a single off the fourth ball, leaving Munyonga with the task of scoring nine runs from the last two balls to win. However, he could only muster one run, resulting in Zimbabwe's loss by seven runs.

Earlier, after Nissanka and Kusal Mendis fell in quick succession during a rebuilding phase, Sri Lanka found themselves in trouble, losing Sadeera Samarawickrama (35) and captain Charith Asalanka (6) to Raza and Owansu respectively, plunging to 161/5.

Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis forged a crucial partnership of 137 runs for the sixth wicket, lifting the score to 298 before Kamindu was dismissed on the last ball of the innings. Ultimately, it was Madushanka's magic that delivered a memorable victory for Sri Lanka.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 298/6 in 50 overs (Pathum Nissanka 76, Kusal Mendis 38, Janith Liyanage 70 not out, Kamindu Mendis 57; Richard Ngarava 2-34) beat Zimbabwe 291/8 in 50 overs (Sikandar Raza 92, Ben Curran 70, Sean Williams 57, Tony Munyonga 43 not out; Dilshan Madushanka 4-62, Asitha Fernando 3-50) by seven runs.