Sikandar Raza battled through to a fighting 97* alongside Malcolm Waller who made 57* as Zimbabwe finished day 3 of the only Test between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on 252/6 having built a 262 run lead.
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Of the three days in the Test so far, Sri Lanka have managed to dominate the 1st session on all three occasions but have fizzled away during the final two sessions of the day to give Zimbabwe a fighting chance of clinching a win. The narrative was no different today as Sri Lanka, after being bowled out for 346, managed 4 wickets before the lunch break to leave the visitors tottering on 24/4.
Normalcy seems to have been restored in the Test when Rangana Herath began the carnage for Sri Lanka in the 4th over of the visitor’s innings. The champion left arm spinner was given the new ball by skipper Dinesh Chandimal and did not disappoint, picking up Regis Chakabva in just his 2nd over. His next victim was Tarisai Musakanda, whose attacking instincts got the better of him in Herath’s next over as he attempted to flick the flighted delivery through mid-wicket; the ball took his edge and flew to Dimuth Karunaratne, who took a good catch at slip.
Hamilton Masakadza was the next to go as he was struck in front by Herath and with next to nothing happening for Suranga Lakmal on the other end, Dilruwan Perera was brought into the attack and claimed the prized scalp of Craig Ervine.
The post lunch session began well for Sri Lanka too, perhaps dispelling the thought that they would let Zimbabwe off the hook once again. Sean Ervine fell to a beautifully flighted delivery from Herath that spun in from the rough to hit his off stump.
This brought together PJ Moor and Sikandar Raza and the pair put on 86 runs for the 6th wicket to frustrate the Sri Lankans. Raza seemed to be struggling with the humid conditions but battled on to notch up his 5th Test half-century.
Lahiru Kumara bowled with little control but kept it short to Moor and eventually got him to guide the ball into the hands of substitute fielder Dhanushka Gunathilake at deep square leg.
Zimbabwe’s decision to play 8 batsmen in their line-up was rewarded once again as Malcolm Waller, who joined Raza, was as solid as ever at the crease. He looked to score runs whenever the opportunity presented itself and brought up his 4th fifty in Tests to further frustrate the hosts.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka had begun briskly with overnight batsmen Herath and Asela Gunaratne putting on 48 for the 8th wicket before Herath was stumped off the bowling of Sean Williams. Lakmal went for his shots and managed 14 important runs but Graeme Cremer dismissed him as well as Asela Gunaratne o finish with figures of 5 for 125, his 1st 5 wicket haul in Tests. Sri Lanka conceded a led of 10 runs.
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