Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka produced a sensational last-over hat-trick to secure a dramatic seven-run victory over hosts Zimbabwe in the first ODI of their two-match series at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Chasing 299 for victory, Zimbabwe needed 10 runs off the final over. Madushanka struck immediately, bowling Sikandar Raza for 92 with the first ball, then inducing a catch at short fine leg from Brad Evans, and finally clean bowling Richard Ngarava to complete the hat-trick. He conceded just two runs from the remaining deliveries, leaving Zimbabwe on 291-8 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 298-6. This made Madushanka the eighth Sri Lankan to achieve a hat-trick in ODIs.
Sri Lanka, sent in to bat, had been in trouble at 161-5 with 13 overs remaining. A powerful partnership between Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis revived the innings, adding 137 runs in 83 balls. Liyanage remained unbeaten on 70 off 47 balls, while Mendis contributed 57 off 36, setting a challenging total for the hosts. Earlier, Pathum Nissanka had scored a composed 76 to help stabilise the innings.
Zimbabwe’s chase began poorly, losing their first two wickets in four balls without scoring. Stand-in captain Sean Williams and Ben Curran then added 118 for the third wicket, keeping the chase alive. Later, Sikandar Raza and Tony Munyonga stitched together a 128-run sixth-wicket partnership, taking Zimbabwe within striking distance before Madushanka’s final-over heroics. Curran top-scored with 70, while Williams made 57.
Asitha Fernando also contributed significantly with three wickets for Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine was ruled out of the series due to a calf injury, with Williams taking over the captaincy.
With this victory, Sri Lanka take a 1-0 lead in the two-match ODI series. The second ODI is scheduled for 31 August in Harare, followed by three T20 internationals.
Hat-tricks for Sri Lanka in ODIs
3 Lasith Malinga
2 Chaminda Vaas
1 Farveez Maharoof
1 Thisara Perera
1 Wanindu Hasaranga
1 Shehan Madushanka
1 Maheesh Theekshana
1 Dilshan Madushanka