In the first-ever one-day series opener between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at home, Charith Asalanke scored a century to help the hosts win 273-9 on Saturday.
With nine boundaries in his third ODI century, the vice skipper kept the hosts’ total imposing when a number of batsmen gave up wickets too soon.
After Avishka Fernando, the opener, went out for nothing after five balls in the first over, Kusal Mendis (46) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (41) put up a 63-run partnership.
However, the two were unable to capitalize on their openings, as Mendis was run out and Samarawickrama made a soft catch to first slip.
Before being run out in the last over, left-hander Asalanka formed many partnerships with the lower order, including a 52-run eighth-wicket stand with Dushmantha Chameera to keep Sri Lanka in the hunt.
In the last over, Asalanka was run out.
Following early breakthroughs with the new ball, Richard Ngarava emerged as the best bowler for Zimbabwe, completing 2-39 after claiming Fernando and Samarawickrama.
In the last overs, the left-arm seamer returned for a second session, but cramping forced him to leave the field after only four deliveries were made.