Who won man of the match (MOM) in SL vs Zim 3rd ODI, today?

All eyes were on this deciding final 3rd ODI. Sri Lanka won the match by a huge margin of 184 runs. The hosts, Sri Lanka won the first match, while Zimbabwe won the second. Both teams tried their absolute best to take the series title home. However, Sri Lanka thrashed Zimbabwe’s thought of winning the series by any chance. There was immense pressure on Shanaka and Co. to redeem themselves after their loss in the second ODI. Zimbabwe’s batting failed poorly. They could only meet 70 of the required 255 runs. With this win, Sri Lanka, the hosts, makes the title theirs. We’ll see who won the Man of the Match (MOM) in SL vs ZIM 3rd ODI.

Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss in the third ODI, and he chose to bat first. The teams made one change each in their Playing-XI. Sri Lanka brought in Ramesh Mendis in place of Pradeep. On the other hand, Zimbabwe dropped Wesley Madhevere to bring in Milton Shumba.

First Innings

The opening duo gave Sri Lanka a good start. Masakadza got Zimbabwe their first breakthrough in the 18th over but Sri Lanka had a respectable 80 on board by then. Openers Nissanka and Kusal Mendis made 55 and 36 runs respectively. However, it was difficult to establish a partnership after the first wicket. Only after Asalanka came to the crease, Sri Lanka could finally have a stable partnership again. Asalanka scored a 52 off 56 balls. Shanaka, Karunanratne, and R Mendis made the final touches for the team to reach 254. Wickets kept on felling, but they didn’t let it affect how many runs were going on board.

Second Innings

The second innings was a cake walk for Sri Lanka. They got two back to back wickets in the 3rd over itself. Wickets came back to back, making it difficult for Zimbabwe to form a partnership. The highest individual score by Zimbabwe today was a mere 19 by the opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano. Otherwise, Zimbabwe’s batting line-up failed terribly. Their second highest score was a 15 off 46 by Ryan Burl. The middle order made it all the way more easy for Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan bowler Jeffrey Vandersay took 4 wickets, ending the match in the 25th over.

Also read: Breaking! Akshar Patel Engages To His Long Time Girlfriend Meha, Wrote “Together & Forever”

Who Won Man Of The Match (MOM) In SL Vs Zim 3rd ODI?

Asalanka for his powerful 52 off 56 deliveries was conferred with the Man of the Match in the 3rd ODI in Zimbabwe’s tour of Sri Lanka-2022. Once the openers were out, Sri Lanka was finding it difficult to establish a stable partnership. Asalanka played a very crucial part in making those runs in the second half of the inning. It was only possible after Asalanka came to the crease that Sri Lanka started having consistent runs. The skipper Shanaka along with Asalanka stabilized the inning. It was because of Asalanka’s great knock that Sri Lanka managed to have a 254 on the board and finally win.

Good innings, happy to be on the winning side. The pitch is not a really good one to bat. I am really enjoying my games. Just looking to improve and win games for my country.

Charith Asalanka

Player of the Series

Sri Lankan opener Pethum Nissanka was named the Player of the Series. He scored a great opening 75 off 71 deliveries in the first match, leading to Sri Lanka’s win by 5 wickets. Even though Sri Lanka lost the second ODI, Nissanka scored a decent 16 off 24 balls. In the tie-breaking third ODI, he gave a head start to the team by scoring 55 off 66. Nissanka well deserved the Player of the Series.

Great feeling. Enjoying batting at the top. Was a middle order player, but I am enjoying this role

Pethum Nissanka (translated by Roshan Abeysinghe)

Match Summary

Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, 21 January 2022

Sri Lanka: 254-9 (Pathum Nissanka 55, Asalanka 52; R Angrava 2-46)

Zimbabwe: 70-10 (Takudzwanashe Kaitano 19 Ryan Birl 15; J Vandersay 4-10)

Sri Lanka won by 184 runs.