Welcome to the highlights of Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe - The opening match of the 1997 Singer-Akai Cup triangular One-Day International cricket tournament between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe was played at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah on April 03, 1997.
Match Overview:
Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan's combined 5-wickets before Half-centuries from Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu and Aravinda de Silva helped to Sri Lanka comfortable seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening match of a Singer-Akai Cup.
Match Stats:
- Aravinda de Silva became the first Sri Lanka batsman to reach 6,000 runs in one-day international cricket history and overall the 9th player in ODIs.
In-Depth Match Highlights:
Zimbabwe scored 187-9 in 50 overs with top scorer by Paul Strang struck 38 off 52-balls including two boundaries.
Andy Flower cracked a 38 off 61-balls including a boundary, Craig Wishart hit 32 off 36-balls included 4-fours and Debutant Dirk Viljoen - who scored 17 off 52-balls on his debut ODI match - contained 2-fours.
Sri Lanka best bowler by Chaminda Vaas picked up 3-wickets for 25-runs in 10-overs including two maidens with economy rate of 2.50, Muttiah Muralitharan took 2-wickets and one for Kumar Dharmasena - Nuwan Zoysa.
Sri Lanka chase down the target of 188 for 3 in 45.4 overs with top scorer by Aravinda de Silva struck 60 off 81-balls, Sanath Jayasuriya cracked a 56 off 74-balls including 7-fours & a six and Marvan Atapattu scored a unbeaten 52 off 120-balls included 2-fours & a six.
Zimbabwe best bowler by Grant Flower, Eddo Brandes and Paul Strang each took one-wickets.
Aravinda de Silva named Player of the match for his match-winning classy 60 off 81-balls including 9-fours.
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