Zimbabwe will be travelling to Sri Lanka for a 5 match ODI series and a solitary Test match, starting on 30th June. Let’s take a closer look at the ODI numbers between the two sides.
Since 1992
The rivalry between these two sides began from a record breaking encounter at New Plymouth during the World Cup 1992. Winning the toss, Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga invited Zimbabwean captain Dave Houghton to bat first. The minnows opened with two debutants, Andy Flower and Wayne James. One batsman, Andy Flower who would go on to create a legacy in cricket folklore, dazzled with an unbeaten 115. Moreover he became only the third batsman and the first wicket-keeper to score an ODI century on debut. His partnerships with Kevin Arnott and Andy Waller took Zimbabwe to a staggering 312 for 4 in 50 overs.
Sri Lanka had to create history if they were to win, as no team had successfully chased down a 300 plus target in ODI cricket. Stepped up Athula Samarasekera and Roshan Mahanama, to set up a 128 run stand for the opening wicket; Samarasekera scored a blistering 75 off 61 balls while Mahanama made 59. Eddo Brandes, a chicken farmer by profession, who would go on to ‘cluck’ England later in the World Cup forced a mini collapse and Sri Lanka were reeling at 167 for 4. But captain Ranatunga had other ideas. He pummeled his way through towards the target, with support from Sanath Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillakaratne. With 9 fours and a maximum he amassed 88 in just 61 deliveries, taking Sri Lanka to the winning target in a thrilling finale with 3 wickets and 4 balls to spare. The memorable encounter saw Sri Lanka becoming the first ever side to successfully chase down a 300 plus target in an ODI.
However, the minnows were never to be underestimated as later they went on to shock the eventual finalists England at Albury.
The first win for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka came in 1994 at Harare. Braced by Alistair Campbell’s unbeaten 131, Zimbabwe scored 290/5 while Sri Lanka’s reply fell short of a mere 2 runs.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe overall ODI tally head to head
- Played – 50
- Sri Lanka – 41
- Zimbabwe – 7
- No result – 2
Recap of the last decade
The two sides last met in a bilateral series 9 years ago. Sri Lanka traveled to Zimbabwe in 2008 and the 5-match ODI series ended in a whitewash by Sri Lanka.
Last year, during the triangular series involving West Indies and Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka won two games out of three against the hosts with one ending without a result.
In the Lion’s den
Sri Lanka has never lost an ODI to Zimbabwe on home soil. The first time Sri Lanka hosted Zimbabwe in an ODI was during the 1996 group stage at SSC, Colombo. The eventual world champions won the game by 6 wickets. The last time these two sides met in Sri Lanka was during the 2011 World Cup campaign. At Pallekele, Sri Lanka won thumped Zimbabwe by 139 runs. The game was best remembered for the 282 run partnership between openers TM Dilshan (144) and Upul Tharanga (133).
Team Records
Highest team totals
Sri Lanka – 327/6 (Pallekele, 2011)
Zimbabwe – 312/4 (New Plymouth, 1992)
Lowest team totals
Sri Lanka – 153 all out (Sharjah, 1997)
Zimbabwe – 35 all out (Harare, 2004)
Batting Records
Most runs – Andy Flower (919 runs in 27 innings) (Avg. 38.29)
Most runs for Sri Lanka – Marvan Atapattu (906 runs in 25 innings) (Avg. 45.30)
Most runs in Sri Lanka – Grant Flower (264 runs 7 innings) (Avg. 37.71)
Most runs for Sri Lanka (in SL) – Aravinda de Silva (226 runs in 4 innings) (Avg. 75.33)
Highest individual score – T.M. Dilshan (144 at Pallekele, 2011)
Highest individual score for Zimbabwe – Alistair Campbell (131* at Harare, 1994)
Highest individual score for Zimbabwe (in SL) – Grant Flower (112 at SSC, 1998)
Bowling Records
Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (59 wickets in 30 innings) (Avg. 14.67)
Most wickets for Zimbabwe – Heath Streak (28 wickets in 22 innings) (Avg. 31.96)
Most wickets in Sri Lanka – Muttiah Muralitharan (13 wickets in 7 innings) (Avg. 18.30)
Most wickets for Zimbabwe (in SL) – Heath Streak (7 wickets in 7 innings) (Avg. 36.28)
Best bowling – Chaminda Vaas (8 for 19 at SSC, 2001)
Best bowling for Zimbabwe – Paul Strang (4 for 32 at Sharjah, 1998)
