HARARE: Kamindu Mendis’ explosive unbeaten 41 off just 16 balls propelled Sri Lanka to a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20 International at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
Chasing 176, opener Pathum Nissanka laid the foundation with a fluent 55 from 32 deliveries, studded with four fours and two sixes. Kusal Mendis added 38, but a middle-order wobble left Sri Lanka struggling at 106-4.
The game swung when Kamindu launched a late assault, clearing the ropes four times to seize control for the visitors. Dushan Hemantha held his nerve with an unbeaten 15, steering to 177-6 in 19.1 overs.
Earlier, Brian Bennett anchored Zimbabwe’s innings with a superb 81 off 57 balls, striking 12 boundaries. Skipper Sikandar Raza chipped in with 28, but a late collapse restricted the hosts to 175-7 despite a strong platform.
Dushmantha Chameera impressed with 3-30, while Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava (2-20) stood out with the ball.
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The result gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series, after sweeping the preceding two-match ODI series. The second T20 is scheduled for Friday at the same venue.
The match also saw T20I debuts for Dushan Hemantha and Nuwanidu Fernando in Sri Lanka’s lineup.
