6:50pm That will be all from us for this game. One more match to tuck into tonight, and Alan Gardner is at the wheel currently as Canada prepare to take on Afghanistan. Until next time, from all of us here, it is goodbye!
Sikandar Raza, now speaking as Zimbabwe captain: We keep our sights forward. If I keep our eyes on the present, I don't think anyone gave us a chance. To win everyone's hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in. When we lost the toss, all I said to the boys was if we are truly playing good cricket, why does the toss matter. I bowled, and said finger-spinners are not finding a lot of turn, so we can put them under pressure. I came into the changing room and said they were 10 runs short (at the break). We have trained for every situation. Then we have the right personnel to send in at the right time. We have got all those roles clear and that is why you see the confidence in the changing room. We take one game at a time. We arrive on 21st, and then train on 22nd, and then it is show-time. Whatever happens, happens. If we can win two out of three games, who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story.
Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain: (On the batting) We had a very good start. The score we put on is good enough to defend. Some patches where we could have done better but we take the score. It was a good score on this pitch. (On the bowling plans) Plan was always simple. To take wickets (up front) but we could not get that start. It is tough with the newcomers coming in, but no excuse. We could have done slightly better. Every game, we need to do well for the country. We rested Chameera as well. But we need to do better. We need to be more confident in the field, felt that is what we lacked today. Hopefully we come with a better attitude the next time.
Sikandar Raza, Player of the Match: After the first eight balls, I only had 4-5 runs but I was seeing the ball well, and if I time it well, it can go the distance. Was trying to calculate. Needed a 20-run over. Ideally wanted to finish the game but we take it. Kept on saying to Bennett that he batted through. I told him I had let him down (with my slow start) and to just hang in (because I was starting to time it well). Credit to him - he keeps doing that every game and cannot wait to see him get better. I am pretty excited with how we have gone about our business. We are unbeaten so far, but it is only the next game that comes into my head. Nice position to be in as a captain but I will try and enjoy at least tonight.
6:30pm Not bad for a dead rubber, eh? At the half-way stage, it felt SL may just have enough on the board. And they seemed to believe that in the opening overs of the powerplay too, tying the Zimbabwean batters down. But then, Marumani teed off, with Bennett following suit soon after. Burl played his part too, with Raza arguably playing the decisive knock. He could not stay alongside Bennett at the end, but his innings ensured that Zimbabwe, despite a wobble, had enough of a cushion to bounce back.
SL will be disappointed. Shanaka and Wellalage tried their best, but the rest were not quite up to scratch. Theekshana, on a slow track, was too expensive, with none of the seamers gaining any foothold either. The result, in terms of qualification, may not have mattered, but SL will still feel they should have won this game.
8 off 6. Zimbabwe surely should have gotten it done before getting to this stage. But here we are. Super Over anyone? Theekshana to bowl
END OF OVER:19 | 5 Runs 2 Wkts | ZIM: 171/4 (8 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 9.00, RRR: 8.00)
- Tony Munyonga1 (1b)
- Brian Bennett59 (47b)
- Dushan Hemantha4-0-36-2
- Dunith Wellalage4-0-27-1
Munyonga on strike now. 10 off 7
T Musekiwa c Shanaka b Hemantha 1 (2m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50
Musekiwa in at 5
Sikandar Raza c Shanaka b Hemantha 45 (31m 26b 2x4 4x6) SR: 173.07
Raza has a bout of cramp. Not the first time this tournament. He did off against Australia due to cramp too. Nothing too serious, it seems, and Raza will go on. Hemantha to bowl. 13 off 12
END OF OVER:18 | 6 Runs | ZIM: 166/2 (13 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.22, RRR: 6.50)
- Brian Bennett57 (45b)
- Sikandar Raza45 (25b)
- Dunith Wellalage4-0-27-1
- Dilshan Madushanka3-0-20-0
19 off 18. Wellalage back on. Last roll of the Sri Lankan dice?
END OF OVER:17 | 14 Runs | ZIM: 160/2 (19 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.41, RRR: 6.33)
- Brian Bennett54 (42b)
- Sikandar Raza42 (22b)
- Dilshan Madushanka3-0-20-0
- Maheesh Theekshana3-0-36-0
ahmed: "I think I saw Brandon Taylor a moment ago, in what capacity he is involved with the ZIM team?" -- He was with the squad, until being ruled out due to injury. He has stayed on as a mentor for the team.
Around the wicket now
Mohd Irshad : "Hard to believe they missed last World Cup."
