NEW DELHI: Captain Sikandar Raza and pacer Brad Evans powered Zimbabwe to a commanding 67-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second match of Pakistan T20I tri-series on Thursday, marking the team's biggest T20 win against the island nation in Rawalpindi.
After being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 162/8, with Raza contributing a quick 47 off 32 balls and opener Brian Bennett narrowly missing out on a second successive half-century, scoring 49.
In response, Sri Lanka struggled to build any momentum and were bowled out for just 95 on the final ball. Evans starred with the ball, taking 3/9, while every Zimbabwe bowler chipped in with at least one wicket to complete a dominant all-round performance.
"You want to be there when the chips are down and be prepared to do the dirty work for the team," Raza said. "If I'm trying, I feel my team is going to try."
Sri Lanka are struggling on their white-ball tour of Pakistan, having already lost the ODI series 3-0 before the tri-series began.
Sri Lanka didn't get any momentum once they lost Pathum Nissanka for a five-ball duck and Kusal Perera top-edged fast bowler Tinotenda Maposa as they limped to 25-2 inside the batting powerplay. Captain Dasun Shanaka (34) was one of two Sri Lankans to reach double figures.
"The intent was not there from the beginning," said Shanaka, who was made captain for the tri-series after Charith Asalanka returned home unwell. "We cannot accept this with the players and experience we've got."
Bennett and Raza put up a spirited fight for Zimbabwe in the opening loss to Pakistan and featured again on Thursday.
Bennett began with three off-side boundaries in the second over, and combined with Raza in a 61-run stand.
Raza perished in the death overs, brilliantly caught by Shanaka at wide long-off, but Zimbabwe flogged 46 runs in the last five overs.
Sri Lanka take on Pakistan on Saturday.
(With AP Inputs)
