Sports
Ranatunga's Unbeaten 58 Guides Sri Lanka to Series-Opening Win Over Zimbabwe in 1998 ODI
Sri Lanka secured a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first One-Day International of their 1998 three-match series, played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on January 22, 1998, taking a 1-0 lead in the contest.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 207 runs in 48.4 overs after being put in to bat. Guy Whittall top-scored with 52 runs off 70 balls, including seven boundaries. Alistair Campbell and Craig Wishart both contributed useful innings, with Campbell scoring 41 off 39 balls containing three fours, and Wishart making 41 off 39 balls with three boundaries. Grant Flower added 40 runs off 61 balls, hitting six fours.
Leg-spinner Upul Chandana was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming a career-best four wickets for 31 runs in 7.4 overs. Kumar Dharmasena and Ravindra Pushpakumara each picked up two wickets, while Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan took one wicket apiece.
In response, Sri Lanka reached the target of 208, finishing at 210 for 5 in 45.2 overs. Captain Arjuna Ranatunga anchored the chase with an unbeaten 58 off 79 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Sanath Jayasuriya contributed 47 runs off 58 balls with six boundaries, while Roshan Mahanama scored 39 off 66 balls, hitting four fours. Upul Chandana added an unbeaten 16 off just eight balls, striking two boundaries at a strike rate of 200, and Romesh Kaluwitharana chipped in with 15 runs off 17 balls, including two fours.
For Zimbabwe, Paul Strang and Grant Flower each took two wickets, while John Rennie claimed one.
Arjuna Ranatunga was named Player of the Match for his decisive, unbeaten innings of 58 runs that guided Sri Lanka to victory.