Pathum Nissanka’s Century Powers Sri Lanka To ODI Series Win Over Zimbabwe

The Harare Sports Club witnessed another gripping contest on Sunday, August 31, 2025, as Sri Lanka sealed the ODI series 2-0 with a composed five-wicket win over hosts Zimbabwe. The result not only highlighted the visitors’ growing confidence under skipper Kusal Mendis but also showcased the emergence of Pathum Nissanka as a modern-day batting mainstay. His sublime century anchored Sri Lanka’s chase of 278, leaving Zimbabwe’s valiant effort spearheaded by Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza just short.

Zimbabwe Set a Competitive Target

Opting to bat first on a sun-baked afternoon, Zimbabwe knew they had to post a big total to challenge Sri Lanka’s in-form batting unit.

Ben Curran anchors innings: The left-handed opener was patience personified, crafting a 79 off 95 balls. His knock was peppered with confident square cuts and fluent cover drives, providing Zimbabwe the foundation they so desperately needed.
Sikandar Raza continues golden run: Fresh from a string of match-winning efforts earlier in the year, Raza looked in sublime touch once again. His 59 off 55 balls was a mixture of aggression and maturity, ensuring the middle overs didn’t stagnate.
Late contributions: Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams chipped in with 20 each, while wicketkeeper Clive Madande’s unbeaten 36 off 36 gave Zimbabwe late momentum, pushing them to 277/7 after 50 overs.

For Sri Lanka, the standout with the ball was Dushmantha Chameera. The experienced pacer struck thrice, finishing with 3/52, regularly denting Zimbabwe’s flow with timely wickets. Asitha Fernando (2/67) and Dilshan Madushanka (1/57) played crucial supporting roles.

Sri Lanka’s Chase: Early Stumbles, Then Calm

At 25/2, Zimbabwe briefly sensed an upset. Both Nuwanidu Fernando (14) and skipper Kusal Mendis (5) were dismissed cheaply, leaving Sri Lanka wobbly. But what followed was a masterclass in batting temperament and game awareness.

Nissanka’s Century: A Knock of Authority

Pathum Nissanka has been steadily growing into Sri Lanka’s most reliable ODI batter. In Harare, he produced one of his finest performances:

122 runs off 136 balls
16 boundaries, mostly elegant drives and well-timed flicks
Anchored the chase while keeping the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate

Nissanka’s ability to soak up pressure in the middle overs while punishing loose deliveries was critical. He rotated the strike expertly, ensuring Zimbabwe’s bowlers never settled.

Asalanka’s Fluent 71: The Game-Changer

If Nissanka provided stability, Charith Asalanka supplied the acceleration. His 71 off 61 balls was full of intent—six crisp boundaries and two sixes. More importantly, his counter-attacking mindset shifted momentum firmly in Sri Lanka’s favour.

By the time Asalanka fell, Sri Lanka were well on track, needing less than a run a ball.

Finishing Touch

A late cameo from Janith Liyanage (19 off 16) ensured there were no hiccups at the death. Sri Lanka crossed the line at 278/5 in 49.3 overs, winning with three balls to spare.

Zimbabwe’s Bowling Effort

The hosts did not go down without a fight.

Richard Ngarava (2/53) struck early, removing Mendis.
Brad Evans (2/54) applied pressure in the middle overs.
Ernest Masuku (1/32) bowled economically, briefly testing Sri Lanka’s lower order.

But the inability to break the Nissanka-Asalanka partnership proved fatal.

Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka

It was only fitting that Nissanka walked away with the award. His innings was the perfect ODI template—absorb pressure, rotate strike, and dominate when set. In an era where flashy T20-style cameos dominate, his knock was a reminder of the value of patience and control.

Series Impact: Sri Lanka’s Growing Confidence

2-0 lead with one ODI to spare: Sri Lanka’s comprehensive performance ensured they clinched the series even before the final ODI.
Balanced side: The bowling attack is firing, with Chameera leading from the front, while the batting revolves around Nissanka and Asalanka’s growing partnership.
Momentum ahead of Asia Cup 2025: With the continental tournament just weeks away, Sri Lanka’s form could not have peaked at a better time.

Zimbabwe’s Takeaways

Despite the defeat, Zimbabwe will take heart from:

Ben Curran’s solidity at the top.
Sikandar Raza’s consistency as a middle-order force.
Clive Madande’s finishing ability, which adds depth.

However, they still lack the killer instinct in closing matches—both with bat and ball.

The Road Ahead

The series now moves to the T20Is starting September 3 at Harare Sports Club.
For Sri Lanka, it’s another chance to test their bench strength.
For Zimbabwe, it’s redemption time in the shortest format, where Raza and Sean Williams could prove match-winners.

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