In a thrilling encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday (January 16), Zimbabwe secured their inaugural win of the ongoing Sri Lanka tour by defeating the hosts by four wickets in the second T20I. This victory leveled the three-match series at 1-1.

Sri Lanka, put in to bat, faced early setbacks as their top order crumbled, losing four wickets within the initial five overs with a mere 27 runs on the scoreboard. Blessing Muzarabani played a pivotal role in this, claiming key wickets. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera fell victim to the third man and backward point fielders in the second over, while Kusal Mendis was dismissed to backward point and Sadeera Samarawickrama to the wicketkeeper.

Angelo Mathews and Charith Asalanka briefly stabilized the innings, minimizing risks until the mid-innings phase. Asalanka exhibited signs of aggression in the 13th over, hitting a six down the ground off Sean Williams. However, it was in the 15th over that he truly unleashed, smashing a half-tracker for a six and two boundaries. He reached his half-century in 32 balls, while Mathews accelerated against Muzarabani, scoring 20 runs in the 16th over. Despite losing more wickets, the duo sustained the momentum in the death overs.

In response, Zimbabwe’s openers aimed to attack early, but Tinashe Kamunhukamwe’s attempt to slog Dilshan Madhushanka led to his dismissal in the fourth over. Craig Ervine took charge of the chase, gradually accelerating after a slow start with only 38 runs in 34 balls by the 10th over.

Ervine reached his fifty by hitting Dasun Shanaka for a six and reverse sweeping Wanindu Hasaranga for a boundary. Sri Lanka fought back with quick wickets, dismissing Brian Bennett and Sean Williams, while Sikandar Raza mistimed a pull off Dushmantha Chameera. Ervine eventually fell for a 54-ball 70, top-edging a googly from Hasaranga.

However, Luke Jongwe, Ryan Burl, and Richard Madande orchestrated a late onslaught, smashing five sixes in the death overs to bring Zimbabwe close to the target. Adding to the drama, Angelo Mathews, bowling the last over, started with an overstep, and Jongwe capitalized with a boundary off the free-hit. Despite a mistimed slog by Jongwe, which was dropped by Maheesh Theekshana, and some tense moments, Madande secured victory by hitting a low toss over the deep mid-wicket fence, requiring two runs off the final two balls.