HARARE — In a breathtaking finish that will be etched into cricketing folklore, left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka snatched a stunning final-over hat-trick to propel Sri Lanka to a heart-stopping seven-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first one-day international at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Monday. With Zimbabwe needing just eight runs from the final six deliveries with three wickets in hand, Madushanka produced a spellbinding display of death bowling to secure an improbable win for the hosts.
The match, a rollercoaster of momentum swings, seemed to be slipping from Sri Lanka's grasp before Madushanka’s heroics. Chasing a modest target of 274, Zimbabwe’s middle order, led by a brilliant 95 from Sikandar Raza, had expertly navigated a tricky chase, putting their side on the brink of a famous victory. The equation was simple: eight runs, six balls, three wickets. The momentum was firmly with the visitors.
A Chase Masterminded by Raza
For the bulk of their innings, Zimbabwe’s pursuit was a masterclass in composure under pressure. After losing early wickets, the experienced duo of Raza and Clive Madande stabilized the innings with a crucial partnership. Raza, in particular, was in sublime touch, mixing calculated aggression with smart rotation of the strike. He seemed destined to guide his team home, picking the gaps in the field and punishing loose deliveries with authority. His dismissal for 95, caught in the deep off Maheesh Theekshana in the 48th over, was the turning point that gave Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.
Even with Raza back in the pavilion, Zimbabwe still held the advantage. "We were in the driver's seat for most of that chase," Raza said in the post-match presentation. "Losing those wickets at the end, especially in that manner, is a tough pill to swallow." The responsibility fell to the lower order to score the remaining 15 runs from 14 balls, a task that appeared straightforward until Madushanka took the ball.
The Decisive Final Over
The atmosphere was electric as Madushanka began the 50th over. The first ball was a dot, increasing the pressure on the new batter, Richard Ngarava. The second delivery sealed Zimbabwe’s fate. Madushanka bowled a perfect yorker that crashed into Ngarava’s stumps, sending the off stump cartwheeling. The crowd erupted, and the belief surged through the Sri Lankan team.
The hat-trick ball brought Wellington Masakadza to the crease. Madushanka, showing nerves of steel, delivered another searing yorker. Masakadza could only inside-edge the ball onto his stumps, sparking wild celebrations. But the drama wasn't over. The umpires checked for a no-ball. Replays confirmed Madushanka’s front foot was perfectly behind the line, and the hat-trick was officially awarded. The sequence of the hat-trick was:
- Ball 1: Dot ball to Ngarava.
- Ball 2: Bowled Richard Ngarava.
- Ball 3: Bowled Wellington Masakadza.
With the hat-trick complete, Zimbabwe had crumbled from 273 for 7 to 273 all out, falling an agonizing seven runs short. Madushanka was immediately mobbed by his teammates in a scene of unbridled joy and disbelief.
Sri Lanka's Innings: Mendis Leads the Way
Earlier, after being put into bat, Sri Lanka had posted a competitive, if not imposing, total of 273 for 9 from their 50 overs. The innings was built around a composed and classy 85 from captain Kusal Mendis. He found able allies in Sadeera Samarawickrama (41) and Janith Liyanage (56), with the trio ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking over against a disciplined Zimbabwe bowling attack. The Zimbabwean bowlers, particularly Blessing Muzarabani (2/48) and Richard Ngarava (2/59), kept a tight leash on the scoring, taking wickets at regular intervals to prevent any single Sri Lankan batter from running away with the game.
The feeling at the innings break was that Sri Lanka were perhaps 20-30 runs short on a good batting surface. "We thought we were a few runs short," admitted Mendis. "But we knew if we bowled well and held our nerve, we could defend it. Dilshan was incredible at the end."
Aftermath and Series Implications
The victory gives Sri Lanka a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but the psychological impact of this win is far greater. For Sri Lanka, it reinforces a growing belief in their ability to win tight matches, a trait that has often eluded them in recent years. For Zimbabwe, it is a devastating loss that will be incredibly difficult to recover from, having come within touching distance of a significant overseas win.
Madushanka, deservedly named Player of the Match, was humble in triumph. "I just tried to bowl yorkers," he stated. "The captain and the team had belief in me to bowl the last over. I'm just happy I could execute my plans and help the team win. This is a very special moment for me."
The result is a stark reminder of the fine margins in international cricket. Zimbabwe played excellent cricket for 99% of the match but will be left to rue a catastrophic final over. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be buoyed by this great escape as they look to seal the series in the next match. This game, decided by a moment of individual brilliance under extreme pressure, will be remembered not for the 97.5 overs that preceded it, but for the three unforgettable deliveries that concluded it.