Dilshan Madushanka hat-trick gives Sri Lanka dramatic win over Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka secured a dramatic seven-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first of two one-day internationals in Harare on Friday, thanks to Dilshan Madushanka's hat-trick in the final over.Zimbabwe needed 10 runs from the last six balls with five wickets remaining, and Sikandar Raza was well-positioned on 92.Madushanka turned the game around by bowling out Raza with the first ball of the final over. He then dismissed Brad Evans, who was caught by Asitha Fernando at short fine leg, and clean bowled Richard Ngarava.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!"I am just so happy to do this on my comeback. Very happy that we executed our collective plans at the death," said Madushanka, who held his nerve with the last three balls to close out the win.Zimbabwe won the toss, and Sri Lanka batted first to post 298-6 with a strong finish. The second ODI is scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.Sri Lanka recovered from an early setback when opener Nishan Madushka was dismissed for a duck. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (38) built a partnership of 100 runs for the second wicket.Nissanka led the scoring with 76 runs, while Janith Liyanage remained unbeaten with 70 runs off 47 balls.Kamindu Mendis contributed 57 runs from 36 balls before being bowled by Ngarava on the final ball. Ngarava was Zimbabwe's most successful bowler, taking 2-34.Zimbabwe's chase began poorly, losing Brian Bennett and Brendan Taylor to Fernando in the first over, leaving them at 0-2 after four balls.Taylor was making his first ODI appearance since 2021 following bans for anti-corruption rule breaches and failing a drugs test.Ben Curran (70) and Sean Williams (57) helped Zimbabwe recover before they fell to 161-5.Raza and Tony Munyonga formed a crucial 128-run partnership, bringing Zimbabwe close to victory. Raza scored 92 runs from 87 balls, including eight boundaries.After Madushanka dismissed Raza, Munyonga remained at the non-striker's end until the penultimate ball and finished unbeaten on 43.This marks Sri Lanka's first tour to Zimbabwe since 2008.