{
    "id": "136075",
    "author": "26",
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    "title": "Mathews Shines As Sri Lanka Pull Off Last Ball Win Against Zimbabwe",
    "lang": "en",
    "series": "1",
    "cup_year": "2024",
    "article_type": "General",
    "excerpt": "Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a last ball thriller in the first Twenty20 international in Colombo on Sunday.\u00a0Requiring six runs off the last two balls, tail-ender",
    "subtype": null,
    "editor1": "<p>Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a last ball thriller in the first Twenty20 international in Colombo on Sunday.&nbsp;Requiring six runs off the last two balls, tail-ender Dushmantha Chameera smashed a boundary off the penultimate ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then he pushed the last ball to square leg, scampering for two runs to keep Sri Lanka&#39;s unbeaten record against Zimbabwe in T20 Internationals intact.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Sri Lanka owed the win to 36-year-old former captain Angelo Mathews who, playing his first T20 International in almost three years, top scored with 46.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mathews had last featured in a T20 international in March 2021, and was recalled to the side as Sri Lanka look to bolster the team with experienced players in the lead up to this year&#39;s T20 World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Mathews paid tribute to Chameera.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&quot;The best knock came from Dushmantha Chameera who scored those six runs in two balls,&quot; Mathews said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&quot;All our hard work would have been useless had he not connected.&quot;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Sri Lanka were 51 for four when Mathews walked out to bat, and added 32 runs off 39 balls for the fifth wicket with Charith Asalanka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"page-break-after:always\"><span style=\"display:none\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>It was a crucial rebuilding period for Sri Lanka, but they were back to square one when Sikandar Raza struck twice in his last over to reduce Sri Lanka to 83 for six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Together with fellow all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, Mathews then was involved in a 55-run stand to take Sri Lanka close to victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Shanaka, who was axed as captain following last year&#39;s 50-over World Cup, finished unbeaten on 26.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Sri Lanka required 14 runs off the last over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mathews hit two boundaries from the first two balls bowled by Blessing Muzarabani to bring the equation down to six from four balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>He attempted another big hit in the fourth delivery, but failed to clear the mid-wicket boundary and was dismissed for 46 from 38 balls with five fours and one six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Chameera knocked off the remaining runs while Sikandar Raza&#39;s brilliant all-round performance was in vain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Zimbabwe captain had top scored with 62 in his team&#39;s total of 143 and then picked up three wickets, but that proved not to be enough.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>It was Raza&#39;s 13th&nbsp;T20 half-century. His 62 came off 42 balls with five fours and two sixes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&quot;We are disappointed with the way the result went, but certainly not disappointed with the way we fought and courage we showed,&quot; said Raza.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&quot;It was a great game to be part of. We hung in there and we are not going to blame the conditions. We have two more games and we will bounce back.&quot;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><b>Also Read: <\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3S7973z\">Join Our WhatsApp Channel For World Cup Updates<\/a><\/p><p>The next match is on Tuesday in Colombo.<\/p>\r\n",
    "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/01\/SL-Zimbabwe-1st-T20I.jpg",
    "alt_img": "Dushmantha Chameera",
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    "seo_title": "Mathews Shines As Sri Lanka Pull Off Last Ball Win Against Zimbabwe On Cricketnmore",
    "seo_desc": "Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a last ball thriller in the first Twenty20 international in Colombo on Sunday.",
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    "created": "2024-01-15 09:13:47",
    "updated": "2024-01-15 09:13:47",
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