MELBOURNE: Opener Kusal Mendis starred with an impressive half-century before all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga scored quick 37 runs to aid Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 33 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 warm-up fixture, here on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe tried 11 bowlers during the match as their 15-member World Cup squad engaged in rehearsal not carrying international T20 status.
Sri Lanka raised a massive 188/5 in the allotted 20 overs after they were put to bat. Openers Pathum Nisanka and Mendis led the charge with a valiant 57-run opening stand before the middle order chipped in with brief knocks.
Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, each scored 17 before skipper Dasun Shanaka and Hasaranga combined excellently for the 7th wicket and smashed 55 runs in the last four overs.
Hasaranga hit four boundaries and two sixes during his 14-ball innings while Shanaka scored 16 off 13.
For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans, Sean Williams, Milton Shumba, Ryan Buri and Wessly Madhevere were able to take a wicket each.
Set to chase 189, Zimbabwe were restricted to 155/5 in the 20 overs with Madhvere scoring 42 off 42 before he retired hurt while Milton Shumba contributed with 32 off 25.
The openers put on 39 runs in just three overs and after cruising to 61/2 in seven overs, Zimbabwe looked on the right trajectory before the Lankan bowlers bowled on tight lines and lengths.
For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Chamika Karunaratne bagged two wickets each while Dhananjaya De Silva took a scalp too.
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