Zimbabwe lose to Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in first Test

Sri Lanka recorded a comprehensive 10-wicket win in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Harare on Thursday, despite a rearguard effort from Regis Chakabva, whose stay at the crease lasted for over three hours.

Zimbabwe began the day with all 10 wickets in hand, trailing Sri Lanka by 127 runs, but Prince Masvaure departed in the second over of the day to the impressive Suranga Lakmal, who ripped through the top order to leave the hosts 41/3.

The experienced pair of Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams led Zimbabwe’s recovery batting through until after lunch. The game’s momentum swung in the space of six balls not long after the break, however, with Lakmal dismissing Taylor and Williams succumbing to Kasun Rajitha.

While Lasith Embuldeniya got in on the act with the wicket of Sikandar Raza, Chakaba and Donald Tiripano batted together for nearly 20 overs, adding just 11 runs.

Lahiru Kumara came into his own to dismantle Zimbabwe’s tail, though, removing Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis and Ainsley Ndlovu, with Embuldeniya getting the final and major wicket of Chakabva, who finished on 26.

Left with a target of 14, Oshada Fernando and Dimuth Karunaratne made sure there were no hiccups in Sri Lanka’s response, with just three overs needed to seal the win.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo