Bennett and Raza Shine as Zim Posts 162/8 Against SL

RAWALPINDI: Brian Bennett scored 49 runs from 42 balls. Sikandar Raza added a quick 47 from 32 deliveries. Those efforts helped Zimbabwe put up a solid total against Sri Lanka. This happened in the second game of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series on Thursday.

Batting first, Zimbabwe reached 162/8 in 20 overs. Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani started things off with a 26-run partnership. Marumani got out for 10 after facing Maheesh Theekshana in the 3.1 over. Brendan Taylor came in next. He made just 11 from 9 balls before Eshan Malinga bowled him. That left Zimbabwe at 40/2 after 5.3 overs.

After losing those two quick wickets, captain Sikandar Raza stepped up to join Bennett. They built a key partnership of 61 runs. Once Bennett left for his 49, though, things fell apart a bit. Zimbabwe kept losing wickets steadily. Ryan Burl contributed (18 runs off 11 balls). Tony Munyonga was dismissed for a duck (0). Tashinga Musekiwa scored (11 runs). Brad Evans made (4 runs). Tinotenda Maposa made (5). Graeme Cremer finished not out on (3). Still, the team closed at 162/8.

Sri Lanka Bowling Performance

• Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 3 wickets for 32 runs from his 4 overs.
   
• Eshan Malinga also made significant contributions with 2 wickets for 27 runs off 4 overs.
   
• Maheesh Theekshana bowled well, claiming 1 wicket for 30 runs from 4 overs.
   
• Dushmantha Chameera took 1 wicket for 27 runs in his 4-over spell.

Playing XIs

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor (wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (capt), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Graeme Cremer

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga