Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankans in Zimbabwe, 2003-04
Special Correspondent
15-Apr-2005
At Bulawayo, April 20, 2004. Sri Lanka won by 12 runs (D/L method). Toss: Sri Lanka. One-day
international debuts: E. Chigumbura, T. Panyangara, B. R. M. Taylor, P. Utseya.
In a heroic performance Tatenda Taibu, international cricket's youngest captain at 20 years
342 days, just missed a maiden international hundred and later bowled four overs of slingy
medium-pace after passing the keeper's gloves to Maregwede. Only one other player, Hondo,
was a certain starter in a full-strength side, and the new-look Zimbabwe lost both openers with
only a leg-bye on the board. Once Vaas and Zoysa shattered the early batting, however, Sri
Lanka appeared to drift into complacency, allowing Taibu to lead the recovery. A total of 211
for six could be seen as an unexpected triumph. Tinashe Panyangara, hero of the Under-19 World
Cup victory over Australia, then dismissed Jayasuriya with his second ball in senior internationals,
before rain interrupted Sri Lanka at 31 for two. The new target was 173 off 33 overs. They
struggled until Dilshan joined Sangakkara, but were 12 ahead of par when they accepted the
offer of bad light.
Man of the Match: T. Taibu.