Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2nd T20I at Colombo, SL v ZIM, Jan 16 2024 - Match Result

And on that note it's a wrap from us! Yet another cracking game of cricket is behind us, but there's no doubt this series is poised for a riveting decider on Thursday! Be sure to join us for that, but for now on behalf of the team, this is Madushka signing out!

Sikandar Raza: "Like I said in the last game, these are group of boys that will turn this ship around. These are the group of boys that have made a promise to the country and to the fans. And if you'd ask me, I'd rather win two games - the first we got really close - but today was really unbelievable. [From 27 for 4 how did the game slip?] I don't think it slipped, we knew the wicket was going to get better, that there was a bit of moisture and that the first 6-7 overs would be tough. Even when we came back to the changing room, I wasn't angry. I just said they have the momentum, but they haven't got too many runs and it's not like we can't win the game. This was a par score. The wicket got really good, but they played some good shots as well. The whole squad was calm, we didn't want to get it this close but I always say a close game is good for the fans."

Wanindu Hasaranga: "Yeah [we had enough runs] but the top order should take more responsibility as I said last time out as well. Angie and Charith played brilliantly though. [Should someone else have bowled the last over?] No Angelo has done it before, I trust him and so I gave it to him."

Luke Jongwe is the Player of the Match: "I don't think I even have the words to explain how I'm feeling. I'm just grateful to my teammates, and we've just been playing really hard to get that win out of the way. For the past three months or so I've been in similar situations but couldn't take the team home, I'm just glad and thank God that I was able to do it today."

Time then for the post-match presentation

GC: "ICC give Zimbabwe more games."

Outkast: "Jongwe catch, two wickets and big runs in the end. Should be man of the match."

Hayes: "Swings and roundabouts. Hero, game 1, villain, game 2."

Ran: "Poor option to use slow medium pacer for the last over."

Aby Mathew: "Madande and jongwe would have made even Maxwell proud."

Krishna: "It's sad Zimbabwe is not the 2024 T20 WC. These 2 games have been more than competitive. Thrillers to the core!"

Galib: "Oh dear! I can't believe my eyes! Finally, Zimbabwe have won a close game! It made my evening. Thank you Zimbabwe! "

That much of this Sri Lankan pain came at the hands of Angelo Mathews shows how cruel sport can be, as he spent much of the Lankan innings repairing a top order collapse alongside the outstanding Charith Asalanka. Neither player deserved to be on the losing side, but such is sport and life.

10.28pm Well what a difference a couple of days make! Zimbabwe, who were on the wrong end of an unlikely chase a couple of nights back, have now secured a historic one of their own! The hero was undoubtedly Luke Jongwe, maligned for his bowling, but redeeming himself in spades with the bat! But of course none of it would have been possible without Craig Ervine's 54-ball 70, which had anchored the chase for large parts. But just as their hopes seemed to be fading, Jongwe arose with a 12-ball 25, to help plunder 20 off the final over! A word for Clive Madande too, who hit the winning six in a 5-ball 15.

Mathews pulls up in his run up. Mind games.

Just 3 needed off 4 now

free hit incoming...

Dev: "Madande has bit of AB in him" --- They'll want ABCDE here, Dev

Mathews to bowl

20 needed off the last over, and it's confirmed that Sri Lanka will have to have only 4 fielders outside the ring

Sri Lanka need to get through this over in two minutes

30 needed then from 12, four wickets in hand

pedro alonso: "theekshana is such a good fighter bowling in the powerplay ,in the death giving everything on field and try his best with the bat if team need"

Luke Jongwe is the new batter and he's on strike now