Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka won by 82 runs

That's all we have from the opening night of the World Twenty20 of 2012. Hope you enjoyed the coverage. Do log in to read more about this game and previews for tomorrow's games on the site. Cheers

"It is a tough pill to swallow," says Brendan Taylor. "We are a far better side than what we showed. Credit goes to Sri Lanka. They showed why they are one of the favourites to win the tournament. We have played enough cricket to go back from today, rethink and come back a better side."

"It's tough paying a team like Zimbabwe," says Mahela Jayawardene. "You can't take anything to granted. We had to make sure we played to our potential. It's a pretty good wicket, just needed to get used to it a little bit. Our guys batted really well, and the bowlers then did a super job."

Mahela is going to interpret for Ajantha Mendis, who is the Man of the Match, but he says he doesn't need any interpreting, and says: "I am really happy today. Playing cricket after nine months, I am really happy with my performance, and I will try my best in the coming matches."

There are fireworks all over Hambantota as Sri Lanka get off to an emphatic start in their home WorldT20, and also surely progress to the Super Eights? Sri Lanka were not extravagant against an ill-disciplined Zimbabwe in the field, and efficiently reached 182. Extravagance and flamboyance was then to be unleashed through the spin of Mendises. Ajantha was sensational on his return with figures of 4-2-8-6, and Jeevan chipped in with three. Zimbabwe, well they couldn't read them at all. Don't go away too far, we will have the presentation soon enough

17.3

Malinga to Mpofu, OUT

slower ball, too good form Mpofu as he lobs it to mid-off while backing away

Chris Mpofu c sub (LD Chandimal) b Malinga 0 (2b 0x4 0x6 5m) SR: 0

A wide slip is in

17.2

Malinga to Vitori, 7 runs

nicely pish-driven, although he did back away to stay away from the line of it. Places it wide of cover, and gets three by the time deep point gets around. And his throw reach points, and Dilshan shies at non-striker's end to allow four overthrows. I don't remember ever seeing seven off one ball

17.1

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Malinga to Vitori, no run

full, on off, angling away, Vittori doesn't want to get in line here

Malinga comes back

Over17

6 runs, 1 wicket

ZIM 93/9CRR: 5.47 RRR: 30.00

CB Mpofu 0 (1b)BV Vitori 0 (2b)

BMAJ Mendis3/24 (4)

16.6

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Jeevan Mendis to Mpofu, no run

big wind-up from Mpofu, and he is beaten by the googly. It's just headed down leg

Chris Mpofu is the last man in. All wickets have fallen to a Mendis. Jeevan has one ball to finish it off. One slip in place

16.5

Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, OUT

natural variation for Mendis. Flighted legbreak, Cremer has read this right, but the ball doesn't turn enough, and squeezes through the gap between pad and bat to hit the middle stump

Graeme Cremer b BMAJ Mendis 17 (20b 2x4 0x6 22m) SR: 85

16.4

Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, 2 runs

pushed through, on the pads, worked wide of deep square, and they risk a second, which is facilitated by a wide throw from substitute Chandimal

16.3

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Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, no run

full, on off, pushed back to him

16.2

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Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, no run

tries another slog-sweep, but this is thrown up, and he is early into the shot. Beaten

16.1

Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, FOUR runs

full, middle and leg, slog-swept away to cow corner for four

Mendis removes his cap and waves to the crowd as he walks off the field

Over16

Wicket maiden

ZIM 87/8CRR: 5.43 RRR: 24.00

BV Vitori 0 (2b)AG Cremer 11 (15b 1x4)

BAW Mendis6/8 (4)

15.6

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Mendis to Vitori, no run

Vittori misses on the sweep, and that is his second wicket-maiden. Lethal spell from Mendis: 4-2-8-6. You better believe it

15.5

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Mendis to Vitori, no run

accurate carrom ball, in front of off, defended to cover

15.4

Mendis to Jarvis, OUT

that's best bowling figures in all T20 internationals, beating Mendis's own 6 for 16. This is a googly, and as alien to Jarvis as Persian. Short of a length, pitched outside off, beats his bat by a mile, and traps him smack in front

Kyle Jarvis lbw b BAW Mendis 0 (3b 0x4 0x6 1m) SR: 0

15.3

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Mendis to Jarvis, no run

ful and straight, holding its line in front of off, defended to cover

15.2

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Mendis to Jarvis, no run

flighted outside off, driven to extra cover

15.1

Mendis to Utseya, OUT

Can he ever? Tossed up putside off, making the tailender drive, the ball turns away a little, and the edge goes into the lap of Mahela at slip. That's Mendis second five-for in Twenty20 Internationals

Prosper Utseya c Jayawardene b BAW Mendis 1 (2b 0x4 0x6 4m) SR: 50

Mendis to bowl his last over. Can he get five?

Over15

7 runs

ZIM 87/6CRR: 5.80 RRR: 19.20

AG Cremer 11 (15b 1x4)P Utseya 1 (1b)

BMAJ Mendis2/18 (3)

14.6

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Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, no run

short of a length, on off, pushed to cover

14.5

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Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, no run

length ball, on off, holds its line, goes back to keep it out

14.5

Jeevan Mendis to Utseya, 2 wide

googly again, but this starts too straight, and goes down for wides

14.4

Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, 1 run

full and straight, another misfield, at midwicket this time. Single taken

14.3

Jeevan Mendis to Cremer, 2 runs

googly, too short again, worked away off the pads, Ajantha Mendis misfields at deep square to allow the second

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 1st Match, Group C at Hambantota, Sep 18 2012 - Match Result