Sri Lankan win in the opening match of the T20 World Cup did not come as a suprise. But the destructive spin bowling by the two Mendis (A and J) on one hand boosted Sri Lanka’s morale to lift the trophy first time, while hit another nail in the coffin of Zimbabwe Cricket. The loss has made their third Group Stage knockout almost certain. Sri Lanka sealed 82 runs win due to the record breaking spell of Ajantha Mendis and exceptional allround performance by Jeevan Mendis.
T20 World Cup 2012: Schedule and Results
SL vs Zim Scorecard
Statistics
- Sri Lanka registered their 2nd biggest T20 win by runs.
Zimbabwe registered their 2nd biggest T20 loss by runs.
6/8 by Mendis creates new bowling record in T20.
Sri Lanka won their 13th World Cup game in 19th match.
Zimbabwe lost their 4th Wotld Cup match in 5th game.
Sri Lanka registered third victory over Zimbabwe in T20. They have not lost any to them.
94-run 4th wicket partnership between Sangakkara and Jeevan Mendis is Sri Lanka’s best for T20 World Cup.
Malinga’s first ball of 19th over fetched 7 runs. Mpofu hit a shot that fetched him 3 runs, and then the overthrow got him another boundary.
As expected the Sri Lankan controlled the game without any threat. Their openers started with caution and as the run rate was not picking up, Munaweera got himself run out. Dilshan scored 39 runs with caution. Mahela’s run out gave Zimbabwe hope of chasing a comparatively lower total. But 26-ball 44 run knock by Sangakkara, who was the third one from Sri Lanka to be run out, and unbeaten 30-ball 43 runs by Jeevan Mendis took the Lankans to unexpected 182/4.
Zimbabwe had the motivation of winning their first game against Australia in 2007. Yet, past glory did not help them, as despite a 37-run opening stand in 5.3 overs they collapsed against Ajantha and Jeevan Mendis getting bowled out for 100 runs.
While Ajantha’s 6/8 breaks his own record of best bowling performance by any bowler in T20, unbeaten 43 runs and 3 wickets by Jeevan Mendis adds another allrounder in Lankan arsenal.
The huge win has virtually cleared the doubt of Sri Lanka’s elimination at Super Stage. Both play against South Africa in their next Group Stage game.
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