In a first, Zimbabwe win series in Lanka

Hambantota, July 11
Sikandar Raza starred with the bat and the ball to help Zimbabwe edge out Sri Lanka by three wickets in the fifth One-day International and clinch a historic series victory here today. Taking the series 3-2, the 11th-ranked Zimbabwe registered their maiden series win in Sri Lanka and the first overseas triumph in eight years.
Off-spinner Raza claimed three wickets to restrict the hosts to 203/8 after Zimbabwe elected to field. He then anchored a tense chase with an unbeaten 27 as the visitors won with 71 balls to spare. Zimbabwe opener Hamilton Masakadza top-scored with a fluent 73 before rookie off-spinner Akila Dananjaya struck back with four wickets to rattle the Zimbabwe middle-order.
The visitors slipped from 137/1 to 175/7, losing six wickets for 38 runs. However, Raza and skipper Graeme Cremer (11 not out) hung on for an unbeaten 29-run stand to give their side a huge series win. “Happy that Sikandar came to the party. It turned around very quickly but happy we pulled it off in the end,” an elated Cremer said following their win.
“This win is very special, fans must be jumping around back home. We knew we’re playing good enough cricket to put them under pressure.”
Earlier, Pakistan-born Raza, who opened the bowling for the visiting side, returned impressive figures of 3/21. Raza, named Man of the Match, was complemented by Cremer, who took two wickets with his wily leg-spin, including the prized scalp of his opposite number Angelo Mathews (24).
“Raza is a definite weapon with the new ball. I was hoping for a breakthrough or two and he gave us that in the powerplay,” Cremer said.
Mathews said even though the conditions were “tough” for batting, their score was far below what was expected. “They gave us a really tough time and we didn’t have any answers,” said a disappointed Mathews.