The first ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe turned into a thriller as left-arm pacer Dilshan Madhushanka produced a sensational final over to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Chasing 299 runs, Zimbabwe looked set for a memorable win with Sikandar Raza anchoring the chase on 92 runs and Tony Munionga steady at the other end. With just 10 runs needed in the last over, the match seemed firmly in Zimbabwe’s grip. But Madhushanka scripted a stunning twist.

On the very first ball of the final over, he bowled Raza, silencing the crowd. The next delivery saw Brad Evans caught by Asitha Fernando, and on the third, Madhushanka shattered Richard Nagarwa’s stumps to complete a breathtaking hat-trick. From a near-certain win, Zimbabwe suddenly found themselves collapsing under pressure. In the remaining three balls, only two runs were scored, handing Sri Lanka a thrilling 7-run victory. Madhushanka finished with four wickets, his hat-trick etching the game into memory as one of the most dramatic ODI finishes in recent times.

Despite the heartbreak, Sikandar Raza’s innings stood out as he almost carried Zimbabwe home, stitching together a crucial century partnership with Munionga after Zimbabwe had slumped to 161 for 5. However, one mistake at the death proved costly. For Sri Lanka, it was a collective batting effort — Pathum Nissanka (76), Liyanage (70), and Kamindu Mendis (57) laid the foundation with steady knocks to push the team close to the 300-mark, which eventually turned out to be match-winning.

Sri Lanka may have opened the series with a victory, but it was Madhushanka’s ice-cool brilliance under pressure that stole the spotlight.