Leg spin bowler Hasaranga de Silva became just the third bowler to take a hat-trick on his one-day international debut, as Sri Lanka came back strongly following Friday’s six wicket defeat to beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the second match of the series on today (02/07).
After bowling Zimbabwe out for a mediocre 155, Sri Lanka reached the target (158 for 3) comfortably for the loss of Danushka Gunathilaka (), Kusal Mendis (0) and Niroshan Dickwella (35) by the 31th over.
Upul Tharanga made his second half century in the series, an unbeaten 75 while skipper Angelo Mathews remained unbeaten on 28 off 35 balls. Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets that of Gunathilaka and Mendis in quick succession as early as the third over but their middle-order took Sri Lanka home without much trouble. Earlier Sri Lanka bowled impressively to restrict Zimbabwe to a below par score on a turning track with Hasaranga de Silva claiming a debut hat-trick.
De Silva polished off the Zimbabwe tail in the 34th over by first bowling out Malcolm Waller (38) off the inside edge.
He trapped Donald Tiripano in the next delivery and then bowled Tendai Chatara. His bowling backed up the effort by left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan who ran through the Zimbabwe batting line-up taking four wickets for 52, his career best bowling figures in one-day international cricket.
