In a heart-stopping encounter at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka clinched a nerve-wracking victory in the first T20 International against Zimbabwe, prevailing by 3 wickets on the final delivery of the match.

Making the match even more memorable was the heroic return of Angelo Mathews to T20I cricket after a hiatus of three years. Winning the toss and opting to bowl, Sri Lanka faced a daunting challenge as Zimbabwe set a target of 143 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Sikandar Raza played a pivotal role, scoring his 13th T20I half-century with 62 runs. Despite an expensive performance by the pacers, the Sri Lankan spinners showcased their prowess, conceding only 35 runs in their combined 8 overs.

Chasing the target, Sri Lanka stumbled early, losing their first wicket with only 2 runs on the board. Both Kusals, Perera and Mendis, contributed 17 runs each, forming a crucial 30-run partnership. Sikandar Raza, displaying all-round brilliance, dismissed three key Sri Lankan batsmen – Sadeera, Charith, and Wanindu – for just 13 runs.

The turning point of the match unfolded with Angelo Mathews’ return to T20I cricket after a three-year absence. Mathews, alongside Dasun Shanaka, constructed a resilient 55-run partnership for the 7th wicket. Mathews scored an impressive 46 runs before getting out with Sri Lanka needing 6 runs from 3 deliveries. Dasun Shanaka remained unbeaten with 26 runs off 18 balls.

Dushmantha Chameera’s cameo, scoring 6 runs off 2 deliveries, sealed the thrilling win for Sri Lanka on the final delivery. Angelo Mathews was rightfully awarded the Man of the Match for his pivotal innings under immense pressure. With this victory, Sri Lanka takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. Cricket enthusiasts can eagerly anticipate the second T20I scheduled for January 16th at 7 pm, promising another exciting clash at the R.Premadasa Stadium.