Wanindu Hasaranga’s bottom-order destruction guided Sri Lanka to a 2-1 series victory against Zimbabwe on Thursday, as the visitors were bowled out for 82 in Colombo, their lowest-ever T20 total.
The home captain’s 4-15 including two wickets in his last two deliveries, and Sri Lanka cruised to a nine-wicket win in 11 overs.
Pathum Nissanaka (39 not out) and Kusal Mendis (33) combined 64 runs in 46 balls before left-arm spinner Sean Williams caught the latter off-stump for Zimbabwe’s first wicket.
Nissanka secured Sri Lanka’s victory by launching Sikandar Raza for a six over long-on when the scores tied.
Zimbabwe had a promising start with 56-3 after the first six overs of power play, but struggled to score boundaries after fielding limits were lifted.
Brian Bennett, the number three batsman, led the way with 29 off only 12 balls, including four boundaries in the second over, before being dismissed by a Hasaranga catch off Angelo Mathews.
However, the visitors collapsed quickly, losing their last six wickets for only 11 runs, three of which came in the last three deliveries of the innings.
Sri Lanka’s fielding improved after a shambolic performance in the second match cost them a four-wicket loss and gave Zimbabwe their first T20 victory on the island country.
Hasaranga’s 4-15 was backed up by a return to form by ex-skipper Mathews, who shared the new ball and took two wickets.
Mathews had surrendered 24 runs in the last over of the second match, giving Zimbabwe a comeback victory.
Sri Lanka won its first T20 series on Thursday, breaking a drought that had lasted since their Asia Cup victory in 2022.
They will next host Afghanistan for a single Test and six white-ball matches.