ZIM vs SL

5:00 PM local time (8:30 PM IST): So, after two ODIs and three T20Is, we draw the curtains on this Sri Lankan tour of Zimbabwe. But, it was a whole lot close than what we thought! However, it was the Lankan Lions who were able to withstand the pressure and win both series. You can now switch over to here for the live action between England and South Africa in the 3rd and final ODI of that series. For now, this is the pair of Bala and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda! 

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka captain): "It was the best surface of the series! We managed to keep them under 200, which was a decent effort. And then the start that we got, Kamil Mishara putting on such a show with Kusal Perera and maintaining a run rate of 11 or so for such a long time, yes, that was special! After the defeat the we suffered yesterday, this was a good effort and one that had character! We are ready for the Asia Cup now." 

Dushmantha Chameera (Player of the Series, 8 wickets) : "It has been a very good experience! The entire bowling group has been good at what it has done, and I am only happy that we have got the job done. My first experience of bowling here in Zimbabwe, has been nice!" 

Kamil Mishara (Player of the Match): Feel very good winning a game for the country. Big pressure before the game, but the coach and captain told me to play my natural game. 

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe captain): It's one of those targets. We were very pleased. If you had said, 191 at the start of the match, we would have taken it. Batting unit clicked, pleased with the intent and shots. Credit where due, Sri Lanka played really well. We were not upto the mark today. To close out the series, I'm asking the team only to repeat what we have done in the past two games. We weren't upto the mark today. In Bulawayo, the wickets are different. We will try some different combinations against Namibia. The standard of cricket we have played, pleased with it. A few bad moments shouldn't take them away.

4:38 PM local time (8:08 PM IST): Sri Lanka win by 8 wickets with 14 balls to spare and take the series, 2-1!

Kamil Mishara 73* (43) | Dushan Hemantha - 3/38 (4)
Tadiwanashe Marumani 51 (44) | Sikandar Raza - 1/29 (4)

This was supposed to be a tough chase. Sri Lanka just made a mockery of it! The start given by the opening batters was tremendous, and then, after a couple of quick wickets, the pair of Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera got the job done with an impressive 117-run 3rd wicket partnership off only 66 deliveries! 

Pathum Nissanka got the Lankan Lions off to a flyer, and was ably supported by Kusal Mendis. The duo put on over 50 runs for the 1st wicket. But Kamil Mishara stole the show with some stunning shots, and a much more compact knock of 73, without getting dismissed! It was his first in international cricket. Perera stayed with him till the end to get to a 26-ball 46. 

Zimbabwe's bowling needed to be much better than what it was, considering the fact that they knew it would be good to bat on. But the lengths, the lines and the changes of pace were all over the place! Only Sikandar Raza got in on the act and made something happen. The rest were off the boil for most parts. 

Fielding too needed an uplift, which surprisingly did not happen in a series decider! 

So Sri Lanka have registered their second highest run chase in T20Is today and will head into the Asia Cup with their heads raised high! 

17.4 Richard Ngarava to Kusal Perera, FOUR! Vintage Perera seals it for Sri Lanka! Length ball on the pads, whips it away, one bounce into the mid-wicket fence

Richard Ngarava [3.0-0-35-0] comes back into the attack.

One big hit away now, are Sri Lanka! Only one big hit is all that is required for them to seal the game and the series. This over should be the last, in all likelihood. 

16.3 Blessing Muzarabani to Kamil Mishara, FOUR! That's some shot! Good length around the off-stump. Just drives it on the up, straight back past the bowler