Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe post victories

Sri Lanka edged a 23-run win over South Africa at Kilat Cricket Club to boost their confidence ahead of their first game on February 18 against Nepal in Penang. Batting first, Sri Lanka made 224 thanks mainly to a half-century from Dinesh Chandimal and 47 from Lahiru Thirimanne, who has now made a strong case for selection after coming into the squad as a late replacement for the injured Nisham Mazahir.

Tight bowling from Roy Adams, Pieter Malan and Sybrand Engelbrecht restricted Sri Lanka to a moderate target, but when the South Africans came to bat, they could not do any better. Malan and Jon-Jon Smuts got South Africa off to a solid start but the run-rate fell in the middle overs, with Sri Lanka making some crucial strikes through Umesh Karunaratne and Sachith Pathirana, both of whom ended with figures of 2-25.

After being shot out for 57 by Australia on Tuesday, the Zimbabwe batting put up a much-improved show as they successfully chased down Nepal's 203 at the Royal Military College. After a top-order wobble, Tinashe Chimbambo guided them to victory with an unbeaten run-a-ball 49. Nepal captain Paras Khadka impressed, finishing with 4 for 34, but it wasn't enough to prevent the loss. Earlier, after choosing to bat, Nepal were indebted to Gyanendra Malla's brisk 85 for guiding them to a competitive total.

Namibia were another side to bounce back from a crushing defeat in their first warm-up game, as they cruised to a 102-run victory over Bermuda at the Selangor Turf Club.