On a superb batting pitch, outstanding Zimbabwean bowling reduced Sri Lanka to 103 for seven before Arnold, after a cautious start, galvanised his last three partners sufficiently to double the score and, with a straight six – his third – reach an invaluable century off the penultimate ball of the innings. De Silva contributed just two runs in their Sri Lankan tenth-wicket record of 51. Zimbabwe looked likely winners following an opening stand of 91 but, as Campbell and Madondo became bogged down, the run-rate increased. Even so, with five wickets in hand, the later batsmen should have been able to handle 19 off the final three overs. Instead, they all fell for just five runs to frenetic batting as first Muralitharan and then Jayasuriya turned up the pressure.

Man of the Match: R. P. Arnold.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd