Zimbabwe suffer 12th successive defeat
There was no respite for hapless and outclassed Zimbabwe as they were beaten for the 12th straight times when Sri Lanka cantered home by 63 runs in the opening match of the Khaleej Times Trophy here Friday
Rehan Siddique
27-Oct-2001
There was no respite for hapless and outclassed Zimbabwe as
they were beaten for the 12th straight times when Sri Lanka
cantered home by 63 runs in the opening match of the Khaleej
Times Trophy here Friday.
Chasing a not too formidable target of 256, Zimbabwe found
the going tough and were bowled out for 183 in 50 overs with
medium-pacer Charita Buddika making a dream debut by
claiming five wickets for 67 runs. His performance earned
the newcomer the Man-of-the-Match award.
Zimbabwe, still finding their feet at the highest level, did
well to restrict Sri Lanka to 256. But their fragile batting
once again caved in without Fight.
Only a late defiance by all-rounder Sean Ervine gave the
total some respectability with his chancy 47 that included
two huge sixes and three fours.
From the movement opener Doug Marillier got out in Buddika's
first over, it was an uphill struggle for Zimbabwe batsmen.
Everything depended on Flower brothers and when Andy was
removed by Dilhara Fernando, it was virtually all over.
The fate of the match was sealed when Grant Flower was run
out while going for a second run to make 89 for four. The
task of overtaking Sri Lanka's total Looked a hopeless
cause.
Later, Zimbabwe batsmen's plight was compounded by master
off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who was virtually
unplayable to finish with outstanding figures of 10-4-16-2.
On today's performance it will need something out of
ordinary by Zimbabwe to make the Nov 4 final and in all
probability it will be a repeat of April final between
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Earlier, on a flat and easy paced track Sri Lanka failed to
take advantage and managed just 256 for six wickets.
Perhaps the early and cheap dismissals of the openers
skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and Avishka Gunewardena made the
other batsmen be more circumspect. However, Marvan Atapattu
(92) and Russel Arnold (76 not out) did ensure a respectable
total for the bowlers to bowl at. The two steadied the
innings after Maheela Jayawardena (33) became second run out
victim due to a misunderstanding.
Arnold and Atapattu put on 115 for the fourth wicket in
almost run-a-ball before the former holed out to Craig
Wishart for a well-crafted 92 made off 110 balls with five
fours.
Arnold, from then on, held the innings together but could
not score freely against a modest Zimbabwe bowling resources
in which only part-timer Doug Marillier emerged with much
credit. He conceded only 36 runs from his quota of 10 overs.
Despite losing Romesh Kaluwitharana (3) and Chaminda Vaas
(13) in quick succession, Arnold kept going and ended up
unbeaten on 76 scored off 94 balls with only three fours.
Zimbabwe attack lacked sting but they fielded superbly and
it did help in restricting Sri Lankans galloping to an
unchallengeable total.