Asalanka and Madushanka put Sri Lanka on top before first ODI is rained out

Charith Asalamka’s dazzling century and Dilshan Madushanka’s double-wicket maiden had given Sri Lanka the advantage over Zimbabwe after 54 overs of cricket, but persistent evening rain in Colombo meant the first ODI ended without a result.

Rain threatened through the afternoon, finally arriving four overs into the chase. At the time, Zimbabwe, chasing 274 for victory, were reeling at 12 for 2 after Madushanka’s new-ball spell had just removed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Craig Ervine for ducks.

But Asalanka’s 95-ball 101 was the standout performance of the day, not only for his shot-making but also for the patience he showed. With batters regularly falling around him and no real partnerships taking shape, Asalanka had to adjust his tempo and rein in his aggressive instincts till he eventually felt the time had come.

He was on 52 when the No. 8 Maheesh Theekshana joined him with 13 overs to go, and he built a partnership of 23 with Theekshana and 52 with Dushmantha Chameera by rotating the strike smartly and picking the right balls to attack. All four of Asalanka’s sixes came in that period, and he took Sri Lanka to a respectable 273 for 9.

Before Asalanka stole the show, it was left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava and Zimbabwe’s spinners who impressed. Ngarava operated on that nagging off-stump channel and, with the new ball, accounted for Avishka Fernando for a duck and Sadeera Samarawickrama for 41.

Offspinner Tapiwa Mufudza – the highest wicket taker in Zimbabwe’s recent Pro50 tournament – found turn through the afternoon to finish his ten-over spell with none for 37 on ODI debut. Sikandar Raza got an arm ball to bowl Theekshana and also controlled the middle overs as he claimed 1 for 41. Raza’s direct hit to run Kusal Mendis out for 46 was also crucial in pegging Sri Lanka back on a surface that promised big runs at the start.

Blessing Muzarabani produced a strong spell to finish with 2 for 62, using his height to hurry Sri Lanka’s lower-order batters and add the dots. Faraz Akram, on ODI debut too, was wayward with his medium-pace, but sent back fellow debutant Janith Liyanage (24) and Sahan Arachchige (11) against the run of play to ensure Sri Lanka never ran away with the game.

With many of Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggling to cope with the conditions, Ryan Burl was used as a fill-in, but his 3.2 overs went for 32, with Asalanka pouncing on the opportunities at the death before being run-out in the last over looking to get back on strike.

The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Monday.