Thisara and Pradeep limit Zimbabwe to 198

Thisara Perera prospered with the short balls that once made him a penetrative limited-overs operator.

 Lakshan Sandakan turned the ball big and bought two wickets, which is the prerogative of any budding wristspinner and Nuwan Pradeep cleaned up the lower order with searing reverse swing. Sure, they are playing a side that is ranked 10th, but such has been the recent history between these teams that the following is nevertheless worth noting: this was a bowling performance of rare quality from Sri Lanka.

That Zimbabwe made only 198 - bowled out in 44 overs - was down to discipline from Sri Lanka's bowlers, almost all the way through the innings. The new-ball operators largely kept to good lines. The spinners were swept efficiently again, but thanks to Thisara's early blows, were not overwhelmed. Pradeep's finishing blows came quickly and suddenly, the opposition slipping from 191 for 7.

Brendan Taylor top-scored with a measured 58, helping restore a little dignity to the scoreline after Zimbabwe had slid to 73 for 4. He had Malcolm Waller for company in a 66-run fifth-wicket stand. But that was Zimbabwe's only substantial resistance. Graeme Cremer was the only batsman apart from Taylor to breach 30.

-espncricinfo-