Zimbabwe levelled the three-match series in Sri Lanka with a 22-run win in the second ODI, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Craig Ervine's 91 propelled them to 302/8 before the bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 280/9.
Zimbabwe won the toss, and Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Regis Chakabva (47) added 59 for the opening stand before the former was bowled by Jeffrey Vandersay. Chakabva missed out on his fifty by three runs. Ervine and Sean Williams kept the scoreboard ticking in middle overs, adding 106 for the third wicket. Williams (48) became Vandersay's third wicket. A 46-ball 56 from Sikandar Raza and a quick 19 from Ryan Burl then took them to 302/8.
Sri Lanka then lost three wickets inside eight overs. In his opening spell, Blessing Muzarabani dismissed both Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal, half-centurions of the last game. Charith Asalanka's dismissal reduced Sri Lanka to 63/4, but Kamindu Mendis (57) and Dasun Shanaka steadied the innings with a 118-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Sri Lanka looked in control with Shanaka at the crease, until Tendai Chatara dismissed him for 102. In the end, Sri Lanka fell 22 runs short of the target.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 302/8 in 50 overs (Craig Ervine 91; Jeffrey Vandersay 3-51) beat Sri Lanka 280/9 in 50 overs (Dasun Shanaka 102; Tendai Chatara 3-52) by 22 runs. Player of the Match: Craig Ervine.