After dominating in the three-match ODI series, Sri Lanka also clinched the first T20I against hosts Zimbabwe at Harare on Wednesday, September 03. The match was an absolute roller-coaster of a ride, with the visitors eventually prevailing by four wickets on the back of a stunning blitz by Kamindu Mendis. Chasing a challenging score of 176 for a win, the Island nation aced the run chase in 19.1 overs as the match went right till the end.
Notably, the hosts batted first and posted a big score on account of a terrific innings by opening batter Brian Bennett, who scored 81. The youngster displayed great calm and composure throughout his classy innings and switched gears seamlessly. The start was far from ideal for Zimbabwe as they lost the wicket of Tadiwanashe Marumani in the third over, as he was dismissed for just seven, while experienced batter Sean Williams also was out cheaply for 14.
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Despite wickets falling around him, Bennett found the way to keep the scoreboard ticking and formed a crucial partnership first with skipper Sikandar Raza, and later with Ryan Burl. However, those two could not play a significant innings as the opener played. The southpaw ended up scoring 81 off 57 balls, as the hosts ended up posting 175 for the loss of seven wickets.
Mendis's late attacking blitz guides Sri Lanka to a win
Unlike Zimbabwe, the visitors had a steady start upfront, as openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took on the host bowlers. The duo batted extremely well in power play, and it seemed just a formality for the Lankans to win the game. However, Zimbabwe managed to get the wicket of Nissanka in the 11th over when the visitors still needed 96 runs to get.
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After that, the hosts kept chipping away with wickets as they were 125 for the loss of five wickets in 15.3 overs. Just when Zimbabwe when about to deliver a knockout blow, Mendis came like a storm and  scored 41 off just 16 balls. While the hosts were disciplined for most parts of the game with the ball in hand, they could not stop Mendis. Sri Lanka have taken 1-0 in the three-match T20 series.
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