SL vs ZIM: Rain washes out Charith Asalanka’s century as new-look Sri Lanka fail to impress in 1st ODI

Rain washed out Sri Lanka’s opening ODI recreation in opposition to Zimbabwe at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday, January 6. Coming again to worldwide scenes after a disastrous ICC World Cup 2023 marketing campaign, the new-look Sri Lankan staff struggled to make an impression earlier than umpires cancelled out the sport due to rain.

Charith Asalnaka’s sensible hundred was the one constructive for Sri Lanka who managed to rating 273 for 9 in 50 overs whereas batting first. Zimbabwe misplaced opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and captain Craig Ervine with simply 5 runs on the scoreboard however rain rescued the guests in Colombo.

New captain Kusal Mendis received the toss and elected to bat with batting all-rounder Janith Liyanage making his debut. But Zimbabwe began properly with the first-over wicket of Avishka Fernando, who began forward of injured Pathum Nissanka.

However, Kusal and Sadeera Samarawickrama added 63 runs for the second wicket to preserve Sri Lanka forward in the sport. But the settled duo had been dismissed after scoring 40-plus every as Sri Lanka failed to discover stability in the center overs.

Asalanka stored the scoreboard transferring from one finish as he hit his third ODI hundred however lacked help from his teammate. Debutant Liyanage scored 24 runs off 34 balls whereas the likes of Dasun Shankana and returning Sahan Arachchige struggled to make an influence.

Asalanka top-scored with 101 runs off 95 balls whereas Medis was the second-highest run-getter with 46 runs. 

Dilshan Madushanka, who picked 21 wickets in simply 9 innings in the current World Cup, gave Sri Lanka an prompt success with two wickets in the third over however rain had different plans for the day. 

Zimbabwe Playing XI: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Craig Ervine (c), Milton Shumba, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande(w), Faraz Akram, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tapiwa Mufudza

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dilshan Madushanka