Right then, that’s all from the first ODI of the series. Sri Lanka have stolen the victory from Zimbabwe in the last over to go 1-0 up. The second game will also be played here at the Harare Sports Club on 31st August, Sunday. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 am GMT, and as always, we’ll be here a bit earlier with all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The victorious captain of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka, says it was an amazing game of cricket and praises both sides for fighting till the end. Mentions that Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando were amazing at the end with the ball. Shares that he does not feel the need to go in with an extra bowler and feels that the current combination is their best. Lauds Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis for their partnership and feels that their stand set up the innings for the team.

Dilshan Madushanka is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his HAT-TRICK in the final over and ending up with a four-fer. He says that he is happy to contribute for the team in a winning cause. He admits that he didn't start well with his spell, but he had a plan for the death overs, and he was focused on bowling more yorkers towards the end. He says that he is elated to deliver for the team and looks forward to continuing this performance going ahead.

The stand-in skipper of Zimbabwe, Sean Williams, mentions that the Powerplay with the ball was unbelievable and praises Blessing and Richard, who were unbelievable in setting the tone. Williams says he and Ben Curran came in at a difficult stage when they lost two quick wickets. Adds that he and Ben decided to be a bit proactive, and it came off well.

Presentation Time...

Sri Lanka blew hot and cold with the ball, but when it mattered most, they held their nerve. Asitha Fernando set the tone with two wickets in the very first over, only for the hosts to claw their way back as some sloppy fielding didn’t help the cause. Kamindu Mendis broke a threatening stand, and Fernando chipped in with a crucial strike to swing the momentum back, yet once again, Sri Lanka found themselves under pressure and even put down a chance, staring at defeat. Fernando bowled a superb penultimate over to bring some momentum back. That’s when skipper Charith Asalanka threw the ball to Dilshan Madushanka, and the left-armer delivered something special – a stunning hat-trick in the final over to seal the game in remarkable fashion for his side.

Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka, after a cautious start, went on to pile up a commanding total. The innings was built around a couple of century partnerships, with Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage, and Kamindu Mendis all registering fifties. The real acceleration, though, came from the latter two, who added a blazing 137 runs off just 87 deliveries. For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava was the standout with a couple of wickets, but his injury meant he couldn’t finish his quota - a setback for his side. Apart from Brad Evans, who was economical, the rest chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka were also exactly in the same position, but they found their saviours in Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis. Zimbabwe needed something similar, and they found exactly that. Their ever-reliable Sikandar Raza took charge, and though not at his fluent best, he dug in and kept the chase alive. Tony Munyonga provided strong support at the other end, and together they stitched a vital 129-run stand that carried Zimbabwe to the brink of victory. With just 10 needed off the final over, the stage looked set, but heartbreak followed. Raza, agonisingly short of a century, fell first ball for 92, and Tony was left helplessly stranded as the collapse unfolded. He did get back on strike for the final two deliveries, but by then it was too late as the pressure got to him.

Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a nightmare start with two wickets falling in the very first over, leaving them reeling without a run on the board. But Sean Williams and Ben Curran brought a sense of calm, riding out some nervy moments and then stitching together a superb 118-run stand that gave the hosts real hope. Both raised their fifties and looked set to take the game deep, but the double blow of their dismissals triggered a collapse from 118/2 to 140/4. With Wessly Madhevere, too, failing to make a mark, Zimbabwe’s fight fizzled out as they were struggling at 161/5.

How did Zimbabwe let this slip? Needing just 10 runs with five wickets still in hand going into the final over, they looked certain to cross the line, but cricket once again showed its unpredictability. Dilshan Madushanka grabbed the ball, shouldered the responsibility, and produced absolute magic with a sensational hat-trick to turn the game on its head. From the brink of defeat, Sri Lanka snatched victory by 7 runs, pulling off an escape that will be remembered for a long time. For Zimbabwe, it was heartbreak of the highest order - so close, yet agonisingly far from what should have been a famous win.

Blessing Muzarabani comes out to the middle now.

Richard Ngarava walks out to bat now.

Brad Evans is the next man in.

Dilshan Madushanka to bowl the last over. He has not had a great game so far, but the skipper has trusted him. Can he defend 9 runs here? All three results are possible.