Sri Lanka batters struggled against Zimbabwe spinners in the middle overs on a slow pitch, but reached a par 178 for seven in their Group B T20 World Cup match in Colombo on Thursday.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a reasonable start with openers Kusal Perera (22) and Pathum Nissanka (62) adding 54 runs in 4.5 overs.
The left-handed Perera did not look comfortable but found a couple of boundaries off pacer Blessing Muzarabani.
But he fell to the towering pacer soon. Perera could not impart placement to his pull shot off a Muzarabani bouncer, getting caught by Graeme Cremer at short fine leg.
Muzarabani was also quite impressive on the day, tucking the ball into the pitch to take the pace off to keep the batters waiting.
Theekshana is the new man in as Muzarabani comes out to bowl the final over.
And he gives width and Wellalage cuts it over backward point for a four!
Wellalage then creams the ball through to deep cover for a couple.
Wellalage then comes across the stumps and misses the lap shot. Zimbabwe review for caught behind and the not out stays as Ultra Edge shows there was no edge.
Wellalage then misses the upper cut off the slower ball.
Wellalage then crashes the full ball hard through the off side for a four!
Short ball and Wellalage pulls it over short fine leg for a four. Sri Lanka put on 178 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Hemantha is the new man in and he attempts to swing and loft the off cutter down the ground, only to hole out to long-on to be out for a golden duck.
Evans is back in the attack and Pavan starts the over with a couple past cover.
Pavan then gets a four and a six over long leg to get 12 runs off the first three balls.
Pavan then gets four over extra cover!
Off cutter next, widish ball and Pavan hits it straight to the fielder at short third man and he is out for 44 off 25.
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