Sri Lanka triumph in Sharjah opener

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 63 runs on Friday in the opening match of the Sharjah Champions Trophy as fast bowler Charitha Buddika took five wickets on his debut.

Marvan Atapattu and Russel Arnold made solid half-centuries in Sri Lanka's total of 256 for six before Zimbabwe were bowled out for 193 to slump to their 13th straight one-day defeat.

The middle order consolidated Sri Lanka's innings with a fourth-wicket stand of 115 runs after the early loss of skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and Avishka Gunawardene.

Atapattu slammed 92 off 110 balls with five fours, while Arnold weighed in with an unbeaten 76 off 94 balls, including three fours.

Buddika, who took the man-of-the-match award for his impressive figures of five for 67, set the tone with two quick wickets, removing a tentative Douglas Marillier and Stuart Carlisle.

It was left to the Flower brothers to steady the innings, but Andy edged a catch to wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana off Dilhara Fernando for 22, and Grant was run out by Mahela Jayawardene at mid-wicket for a patient 43 off 69 balls.

The experienced Muttiah Muralitharan further added to Zimbabwe's woes, the off-spinner quickly dismissing Craig Wishart to leave the Africans reeling at 95 for five.

Zimbabwe gave up the chase and opted to play through the remaining overs, but the 21-year-old Buddika hastened their demise, clean bowling Gary Brent and Travis Friend off successive balls in the 45th over.

Sean Ervine made 47 off 67 balls, including three fours and two sixes, but only delayed the inevitable.

Earlier, Zimbabwe seized the initiative, removing Gunawardene for five and the dangerous Jayasuriya for 21 by the 10th over.

ACCURATE THROW

Gunawardene, returning for a second run, failed to beat an accurate from deep by Grant Flower.

Just when Jayasuriya was running into form, he played a bit too early at a slower delivery from Friend and the opening bowler did well to take a diving return catch.

Atapattu remained unruffled and put on 60 runs for the third wicket with Jayawardene, who was run out for 33 off 45 balls.

Atapattu and Arnold suffocated Zimbabwean hopes of another breakthrough, pacing the innings with some cultured stroke-play.

Atapattu, trying to step up the scoring late in the innings, holed out in the deep, missing out on what would have been his sixth century in 134 one-day internationals by just eight runs.

Sri Lanka play Pakistan in the tournament's next match on Saturday.

Mail Cricket Editor