Sri Lanka keep hopes alive with 14 run win over Zimbabwe

GUYANA - Mahela Jaywardene sparkled with a century in Sri Lanka’s 14-run win over Zimbabwe by the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method in a rain-interrupted Group B match of the World Twenty20 at the Providence stadium here Monday.

Jaywardene’s 64-ball fluent knock propelled Sri Lanka to a competitive 173 for seven from their 20 overs but the skies opened up moments after the first over of the Zimbabwe’s innings.

At resumption, the African team’s chase was cut short to 106 from 11 overs via D/L method but heavy showers stopped the play again when Zimbabwe were 29 for one in five overs.

With further play not possible, Zimbabwe were found 14 runs short of the winning target when the D/L method was taken into account again.

The win must have come as a respite to Sri Lanka who needed to earn full points this day to stay in the hunt after their opening match loss to New Zealand Saturday.

Zimbabwe, who has been the surprise package of this edition after pulling off two upset wins over Pakistan and Australia in the warm up matches, now need to win against New Zealand Tuesday to stay afloat in the tournament.

Earlier, Jayawardene justified Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first on a low and slow track. The former captain did the bulk of scoring and stood firm even as wicket kept falling at the regular interval.

Jayawardene’s knock had 10 fours and four sixes.

Spinner Ray Price (2-31) and Greg Lamb (2-34) were the pick of Zimbabwe bowlers.