Sri Lanka have won by 9 wickets with 92 balls to lift the Micromax Tri-Series after getting to chase a moderate target of 200 against a toothless bowling attack. Zimbabwe put into bat first were bowled out for 199 with only Tatenda Taibu coming good with 71. Like it has always been in this series so far, the team batting second has found chasing the runs very easy. Tharanga and Dilshan saw the Lankans home with their solid opening stand of 160.
The homeside were crawling along at 49 for 3 in the 17th over before Tatenda Taibu (71 from 93 balls) ensured that there was no collapse along with Greg Lamb (37) to take Zimbabwe past three figures. Sri Lanka got amongst the wickets after breaking that partnership. Fast bowler - Dilhara Fernando was the most successful bowler taking three wickets while Ajantha Mendis and Jeevan Mendis captured a couple each.
Sri Lanka got the runs in just 34.4 overs with Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan helping himself with a 7th ODI century. He remained unbeaten on 108 from 102 balls with 14 fours. His opening partner Upul Tharanga scored 72 from 79 balls (with 8 fours and a six) before sacrificing his wicket in a a mix up caused by Dilshan in running for a non-existent single.
Dilshan got the Man of the Match award while Brendan Taylor of Zimbabwe deservingly got the Man of the Series.
Toss and Teams
Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to field first against hosts Zimbabwe in the Micromax Cup Tri-Series Final at Harare. Zimbabwe have done extremely well to enter the Final following three wins - two against India and one against Sri Lanka. They would be no push overs in today's contest but having said that Sri Lanka hold the advantage of chasing a total under good batting conditions.
Zimbabwe : Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Tatenda Taibu (WK), Charles Coventry, Craig Ervine, Gregory Lamb, Elton Chigumbura (C), Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Chris Mpofu, Ray Price
