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In the 1st T20I of the three-match series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday (January 14), Sri Lanka emerged victorious by three wickets in a closely contested encounter, despite Sikandar Raza‘s exceptional efforts with both bat and ball for Zimbabwe.
Sikandar Raza leads Zimbabwe to a respectable total
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka witnessed Zimbabwe post a competitive 143/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Raza played a pivotal role, crafting an impressive innings of 62 runs off 42 balls, embellished with 5 fours and 2 sixes. Supporting contributions came from Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (26), Sean Williams (14) and Luke Jongwe (13). The Sri Lankan bowling attack stood out with notable displays from Maheesh Theekshana (2/16) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/19).
Also READ: Fans praise Sikandar Raza as hi🗹s resilient batting propels Zimbabwe to a competitive total against Sri Lanka in 1st T20I
Sri Lankan registers a thrilling victory
In pursuit of the target set by Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka faced a challenging task of 144 runs. Angelo Mathews (46) and Dasun Shanaka (26*) emerged as the primary architects of Sri Lanka’s innings, guiding their team to victory in the last ball of the match. Despite Sikandar Raza’s impactful all-around performance, picking 3 wickets for 13 runs in his four overs, Sri Lanka showcased resilience and determination to secure a thrilling win. Mathews was named player of the match in the end.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Sikandar Raza was exceptional!❀!!! The whole team tried . Better luck next time Chevrons.
— AALIYAH NICOLE (@aaliyah_asani)
A stupendous all-round show froꦚm Sikandar Raza, but comeback man Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka did the rescue act for Sri Lanka, before Dushmantha Chameera held his cool at the finish 👏
A Sunday thriller in Colombo!
— Usman awan (@Malikusmanawann)
Sikandar Raza will go down as one of our best Cricketers in Zimbabwe. He just was part of♈ the generation that was affected by leadership issues
— ✞ (@cruelsankara)
Mathews and Shanaka(two current fav SL batters) have done it for Srilanka
Anoಞther fine all round performance by Sikandar Raza came in losing cause, you gotta feel for him but warra game of crick꧙et🔥🔥— Ahsaan Elahi (@Callme_ahsaan)
Sikandar Raza, the one man Army for Zimbabwe
He was the🐼 top-sco⛄rer as well as the most successful bowler for his side
— Omar Faruque (@OmarFar46196492)
Our struggle with the bat & the ball overpowers the joy of a win. Mཧore factors to be worried and concerned about. On the other hand, well pla𝓰yed Zimbabwe, almost took the game away from us !!
— Prabath🇱🇰 (@Prabathkv96)
Experienced duo Mathews and Shanaka take Sri Lanka home as 🇱🇰 BEAT Zimbabw🦩e by 3 wickets!
A fantastic start to the 3-matchꦿ T20I series with 🍎a 1-0 lead!🎉
📝 Full Scorecard:
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC)
Sri 🥃Lanka win the 1st T20I by 3 wickets, to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv)
Whether you like or not, you gotta agree that Mathews is the best batsman today. Well played mathews and sh🏅anaka🌜 ❤️
— Munsif Muzammir (@_munsif_)
Can't believe a certain pundit wanted Shanaka out of the side today😂 without him this whole lineup can't win vs Zimbabwe even😂😂
— Jayith Liyanage🇱🇰 (@JayithL)
Shanaka is on🎃e of the greatest srilankan players of all time
— Hashim (@Hashim62396885)
Sikandar Raza. Thats it. Thats the tweet.
— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos)
Sikandar Raza is a champion Allrounder. Always stands up in crunch situations 🔥❤️ Gritty fi𝓀fty is followed by important wickets. Take a bow, SR
— Shehryar Sajid Khan (@Sskwrites)
SIKANDAR RAZA!!! What a legend he is
— Safi (@cricket747)
Sikandar Raza playing havoc with SL
— mohsinali (@mohsinaliisb)
Sikandar Raza 🇿🇼🏏
– Batting: 62 (42)
– Bowling: 3/13 (4)— Zohaib Hussain 🇵🇰 (@CricZobbiH56)
Sikandar Raza is being played like he's Rashid Khan!
— Sameer Yoonus (@samsperspective)
Sikandar Raza 🔥🔥🔥
— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi)
Sikandar Raza what a genius T20 player…
62 runs in 42 balls & 4-0-13-3— JSK (@imjsk27)
Sikandar Raza. That is his name!
— larry kwirirayi ✍📔 (@kwirirayi)
I know SKY will win T20 POY but my vote would be Sikandar Raza, carrying Zimbabwe with such consistency with both bat and ball. It's genuinely insane!
— Don Mateo (@DonMateo_X14)
What Raza has done in the last couple of years🍎 is truly insane.
— Faizan (@Sydbarrett71)
