The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Sri Lanka made a formidable start in the Grameenphone Tri-Nation Cricket Tournament when they thrashed Zimbabwe by 130 runs in their first match at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.

Sent in to bat first, Sri Lanka made 210 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then they bundled out Zimbabwe for 80 off 28.2 overs.

Upal Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya contributed together 51 runs in the opening stand before Jayasuriya was caught at the first slip by Masakadza off Elton Chigumbura scoring 22.

After dismissal of Jayasuriya, Edward Rainsford harpooned Kumar Sangakkara for 4, Mahela Jayawardene for a duck and Chamara Kapugedera for four.

Later, Upal Tharanga was trapped lbw by Prosper Utseya hitting 43 off 56 balls including six shots beyond the ropes. When Tharanga returned to the pavilion Sri Lanka's total was 97 for the loss of five wickets.

Angelo Mathews and Jehan Mubarak put on 69 runs for the sixth wicket partnership.

Mathews remained undefeated with 52 off 96 balls amid two sixes and a four. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant performance.

Jehan Mubarak was caught at the long on by Sean Williams off Ray Price making 31 off 62 balls. He hit three boundaries. At that time Sri Lanka's total was 166 for the loss of six wickets.

Then, Angelo Mathews and Thilina Thushara put up 44 runs in the unfinished seventh wicket stand.

Thushara notched up a chanceless 28 (not out) off 27 balls.

Edward Rainsford shone with the cherry claiming three wickets at the cost of 41 runs.

Later, the batsmen of Zimbabwe showed a very dismal batting performance.

Stuart Matsikenyeri was the only batsman of Zimbabwe who could reach double-digit figures scoring 15.

Besides, Mr Extra contributed 16 runs to the Zimbabwe total.

Medium pacer Nuwan Kulasekera, new spin sensation Ajantha Mendis and wizard spinner Muttiah Muralitharan played the key role to mop up Zimbabwe innings.

Kulasekera finished as 7-2-13-3 while Mendis completed as 5.2-0-15-3.

Muralitharan bagged a pair of wickets giving away just four runs.

Besides, Angelo Mathews and Thilina Tushara took one wicket apiece.

Ajantha Mendis is now the fastest 50-wicket taker in ODI so far. He grabbed 50 wickets playing 19 matches.

Earlier, Ajit Agarkar of India bagged 50 wickets playing 23 matches.