Dickwella, Gunathilaka make history

Sports Desk: Sri Lanka openers Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka on Saturday became the first pair in One-day international history to score back-to-back double century partnerships in the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe in Hambantota.

The batting duo, who had put on a 229-run match winning stand in the previous ODI, once again took the fight to Zimbabwe by putting together 209 runs at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, reports indiatimes.com today.

While Dickwella hit his second successive century with a commanding 116, Gunathilaka missed out on what could have been his second ODI ton after being bowled for 87.

Zimbabwe off-spinner Malcolm Waller dismissed the two left-handed batsmen in successive overs to check the Sri Lankan surge.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dickwella, who scored 102 on Thursday at the same venue, played a patient 118-ball knock laced with eight boundaries before being trapped lbw.

The Angelo Mathews-led side, which elected to bat first, are looking to take an unassailable lead in the five-match series after being 2-1 ahead.


risingbd/Dhaka/July 8, 2017/Aminul/Nasim