Continuing their giant-killing spree, hosts Zimbabwe rode on Brendan Taylor’s second ODI ton to pull off a comfortable eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in an inconsequential match of the tri-series here on Monday.
With both the teams having already made it to the summit clash, the match was merely of academic interest but Zimbabwe proved that their back-to-back wins against India were no fluke as they upstaged Sri Lanka in a dress-rehearsal for Wednesday’s final. Put into bat, Sri Lanka got off to a flier, courtesy a 122-run stand between captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (78) and Upul Tharanga (69) but the Zimbabwe bowlers showed resilience to eventually bowl out the visitors for a modest 236 in 47.5 overs at the Harare Sports Club.
Taylor (119 not out) extended his sensational form in the tournament as Zimbabwe cruised to 240/2 in 47.5 overs to clinch the match. His sterling unbeaten 137-ball knock was studded with nine fours and a six.
Taylor got good support from Chamu Chibhaba (58) with whom he shared 134 runs for the second wicket and then completed the chase in Tatenda Taibu’s (42 not out) company with the duo putting on an unbeaten 92-run stand. Earlier, Sri Lanka could not make the most of a flying start and folded for 236.