Friends, if you follow cricket, then you must have found Zimbabwe’s innings in the second and last ODI played recently in Harare very interesting. In this match, the team performed well both at the beginning and the end, but in the middle overs, Sri Lanka took control of the game. Despite this, the brilliant batting of Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza took Zimbabwe to a respectable score of 277/7.
How Curran and Raza Lifted Zimbabwe to 277
| Phase | Key Players | Runs/Performance | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening (Powerplay) | Ben Curran, Brian Bennett | 55 runs (10 overs) | Solid start, Curran looked fluent, Bennett dismissed by Chameera |
| Taylor–Curran Partnership | Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor | 61 runs (84 balls) | Curran steady, Taylor slow (20 runs off 37), run rate dipped |
| Curran’s Knock | Ben Curran | Fernando removed Curran and Williams in the same over | Anchored innings, dismissed by Asitha Fernando |
| Middle Overs Collapse | Sean Williams | 11 runs | Madande (36), Raza (59*), pushed the scoring rate higher |
| Raza–Munyonga | Sikandar Raza, Tony Munyonga | Small stand | Munyonga dismissed by Madushanka |
| Raza–Madande Partnership | Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande | 76 runs | 3 wickets, two wickets |
| Death Overs (Last 10) | Raza + tail | 83 runs | Quick running between wickets, Raza unbeaten on 59 |
| Final Score | Zimbabwe | 277/7 (50 overs) | Competitive total, largely thanks to Curran & Raza |
| Sri Lanka Bowling | Chameera, Asitha Fernando | 3 wickets, 2 wickets | 79 runs (95 balls, nine fours) |
At the beginning of the match, Zimbabwe took full advantage of the power play. In the first 10 overs, the team added 55 runs. Curran looked in rhythm from the beginning. He timed the ball well and scored runs quickly. Brian Bennett was also at the crease with him, who played some excellent shots.
However, Sri Lankan bowler Chameera changed his line and length and took Bennett’s wicket. After this, Brendan Taylor came to the crease. This is the same batsman who has returned to the field after a long time. Taylor and Curran tried to build a partnership together and slowly took the innings forward.
Middle Overs: Slow batting and pressure of wickets
Curran and Taylor together added 61 runs. But Taylor’s slow batting (20 runs, 37 balls) had a slight impact on the run rate. Sri Lankan captain Asalanka changed the bowling and brought in his spinners, and stopped the run-scoring. During this, Taylor got out.
Curran, however, stood firm and scored a brilliant 79 runs (95 balls). But when Asitha Fernando was given the ball again, she immediately dismissed Curran and captain Sean Williams. This proved to be a significant setback for Zimbabwe.
When it seemed that Zimbabwe was in big trouble, Sikandar Raza came to the crease. Raza showed an aggressive style as soon as he came. He handled the innings along with Tony Munyonga. Munyonga played some good strokes but was dismissed on Madushanka’s ball.
After this, Raza partnered with Clive Madande. Both of them together made a 76-run partnership. There was a lack of fours in Raza’s innings, but the running between the wickets was excellent. He took the score forward by taking singles and doubles quickly.
Zimbabwe added 83 runs in the last 10 overs of the innings. Raza scored an excellent 59 runs not out (55 balls) during this period. He hit big shots from time to time and kept rotating the strike. Madande also made a significant contribution by scoring 36 runs.
Although the team’s lower order did not contribute much, Raza’s innings ensured that Zimbabwe crossed 250. Eventually, the score reached 277/7.
If we talk about bowling, Sri Lanka did a great job in the middle overs.
- Dushmantha Chameera was the most successful, taking three wickets.
- Asitha Fernando gave essential breakthroughs in the beginning and middle overs.
- The rest of the bowlers gave runs but maintained the pressure by taking wickets from time to time.
Match Result and Highlights
Now, a score of 277 does not look big, especially on a pitch like Harare, but considering the conditions and pressure, it is a fighting total.
- Curran’s patience and technique were commendable.
- Raza once again proved that he is the real match finisher and the most reliable player of the team.
- Brendan Taylor’s return was certainly eyed, but he could not show his old brilliance.
In this match, Zimbabwe showed that they have both depth and experience. If players like Curran and Raza continue to play together, then the team can become stronger in the future. However, Sri Lanka adopted a better strategy in bowling and succeeded in stopping the runs.
Overall, this innings tells us how vital patience and scoring runs at the right time are in cricket. Curran and Raza gave Zimbabwe a good score with their sensible innings, which made the match exciting.
