Gunaratne guides Sri Lanka’s record chase vs Zimbabwe

FIGHTBACK SL batsmen respond brilliantly, overhaul fourthinnings target of 388 to win oneoff Test

COLOMBO: Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne guided Sri Lanka to a record 388 target to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets on Tuesday in a pulsating end to their one-off Test.

A crucial 121-run sixthwicket stand between Gunaratne (80no) and Dickwella (81) secured Sri Lanka’s best-ever run chase.

Sri Lanka’s previous best was against South Africa in 2006, when they achieved a 352-run target. Tuesday’s chase was also the highest in Asia and fifth best in Tests.

Man-of-the-Match Gunaratne anchored the chase to perfection after Dickwella’s departure, raising an unbeaten 67-run partnership with Dilruwan Perera (29no).

Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer claimed four wickets with his leg-spin to return overall figures of 9-275 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

But Gunaratne, who played most of the Test as a batsman after injuring his hamstring in the first innings, tackled the Zimbabwe spinners with ease during his 151-ball stay.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dickwella rode his luck to reach 81 before being caught behind off left-arm spinner Sean Williams while attemping an audacious reverse sweep.

HERATH EFFECT

Cremer removed overnight batsman Kusal Mendis for 66 after Sri Lanka resumed on 170-3. Cremer also had Mathews caught and bowled for 25. The visitors scented victory, but it was not to be for the 10th-ranked side.

For Sri Lanka, veteran leftarm spinner Rangana Herath claimed 11/249 to be named Man-of-the-Series.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 356 & 377; Sri Lanka 346 & 391/6 (K Mendis 66, N Dickwella 81, A Gunaratne 80*, A Cremer 4/150).

AP SL’s Dilruwan Perera (third from right) and Asela Gunaratne celebrate their fourwicket victory in the oneoff Test against Zimbabwe in Colombo on Tuesday.