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Sri Lanka 273/9 in 50 overs (Charith Asalanka 101, Kusal Mendis 46, Sadeera Samarawickrama 41; Richard Ngarava 2-39, Faraz Akram 2-58, Blessing Muzarabani 2-62)
Zimbabwe 12/2 after 4 overs (Milton Shumba 2*, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 1*; Dilshan Madushanka 2-2)
Match abandoned due to rain (No Result)
Zimbabwe’s first match of the new year ended in a draw after rain came down on the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Zimbabwe were struggling at 12 for the loss of two wickets, chasing Sri Lanka’s 274 in the first ODI of the series.
The hosts’ big score was largely thanks to an impressive 101 by Charith Asalanka. Captain Kusal Mendis contributed with 46 and Sadeera Samarawickrama, 41.
Both sides were happy at the break, although Zimbabwe looked to be struggling with the climate conditions.
They will be sweating over the fitness of Richard Ngarava who could only bowl 6.2 of his allotted 10 overs.
His forced withdrawal forced Zimbabwe to use Ryan Burl in the death overs, allowing Asalanka to open up his shoulders and find boundaries at the back end.
Sikandar Raza and debutant Faraz Akram also had to receive treatment at various points.
Zimbabwe also handed a cap to Tapiwa Mufudza whose disciplined 10 overs went for just 37 runs.
Sri Lanka gave a cap to Janith Liyanaje.
In response, Zimbabwe lost Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Craig Ervine early, leaving the team in a bit of bother.
The rain fell and it never stopped, forcing the abandonment.
The second match is on Monday, before the series rounds of on Wednesday. After that, attention moves to the T20I series.
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