A Pathum Nissanka century set up Sri Lanka for a five-wicket one-day international win over Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday with three balls to spare, and a 2-0 series victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 27-year-old right-hand opener claimed his seventh ODI ton by making 122 off 136 balls. His knock including 16 fours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He put on 90 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Charith Asalanka (71), taking the tourists to 236-4 with 33 balls remaining.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Replying to a Zimbabwe total of 277-7 off 50 overs, Sri Lanka reached 278-5 to seal a second straight ODI series victory after a 2-1 win over Bangladesh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Nissanka ton, coupled with his 76 runs in a thrilling seven-run first ODI win on Friday, earned him the player of the series award.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It has been a little while since I have been among the runs in one-day internationals, so I am glad I was able to score some here," said Nissanka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I wanted to do well for the team and I trusted myself. It was tougher to bat during the powerplay and the Zimbabwe bowlers performed well."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asalanka hailed Nissanka: "I wanted to see a big hundred and Pathum supplied that. Both teams fought hard. I just told the team to do the basics well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Young players are doing a good job for the team. I asked the batters to play with less risk and to run hard. They did."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams (20) had regrets: "The series could have gone differently. It could have been 1-1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Today we missed an opportunity to be more aggressive when batting in the middle overs. The small chances make a bit difference at the end of the day."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nissanka, who fully exploited some poor Zimbabwe field placings, departed when his pull shot past deep mid-wicket was caught by substitute Wessly Madhevere.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asalanka carried on until the fifth ball of the penultimate over when he skied a delivery and Brian Bennett raced from the ropes to make the catch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Quick Richard Ngarava (2-53) and seamer Brad Evans (2-54) did best among the Zimbabwe bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, Ben Curran (79) and Sikandar Raza (59 not out) played pivotal roles in the Zimbabwe innings after they were put in to bat by Sri Lanka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka quick Dushmantha Chameera (3-52) was the pick of the visiting bowlers, capturing the wickets of Bennett (21), Tony Munyonga (10) and Evans (8).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief scores<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe 277-7, 50 overs (B. Curran 79, S. Raza 59 not out; D. Chameera 3-52, A. Fernando 2-67) v Sri Lanka 278-5, 49.3 overs (P. Nissanka 122, C. Asalanka 71; R. Ngarava 2-53, B. Evans 2-54)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka won by five wickets<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Toss: Sri Lanka<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pathum-Nissanka-vs-ZIM1.jpg", "alt_img": "Pathum Nissanka Century Powers Sri Lanka To Zimbabwe ODI Series Win", "alt_title": "Pathum Nissanka Century Powers Sri Lanka To Zimbabwe ODI Series Win", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Pathum Nissanka Century Powers Sri Lanka To Zimbabwe ODI Series Win On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "A Pathum Nissanka century set up Sri Lanka for a five-wicket one-day international win over Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday, Pathum Nissanka Century Powers Sri Lanka To Zimbabwe ODI Series Win.", "seo_keywords": "Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe", "tag": null, "tagging": "Charith Asalanka,Pathum Nissanka,Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "pathum-nissanka-century-powers-sri-lanka-to-zimbabwe-odi-series-win", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1940", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2025-08-31 22:05:16", "updated": "2025-08-31 22:05:16", "img_from": "Image Source: Google", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "1", "posted_by": "13", "jio_date": "2025-08-31 22:05:16", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": "Select", "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/pathum-nissanka-century-powers-sri-lanka-to-zimbabwe-odi-series-win-176637" }