Masakadza played so well until a late rash stroke

Zimbabwe gave Sri Lanka a major scare before a late collapse saw them lose the third one-day international by five runs in Harare, and with it the series.

Sri Lanka went 3-0 up with two dead rubbers left to play later in the week.

In a match reduced to 28 overs-per-side Sri Lanka were restricted to 171-7, a target that looked within range while Hamilton Masakadza was at the crease.

He struck 77 off 71 balls but once he was out, Zimbabwe felt the pressure and ultimately lost by five runs.

With the scoreboard reading a healthy 134-1, Masakadza had already hit two boundaries in Thilan Thushara's last over when he tried another lusty strike from the final ball of the over, with 38 needed off 37 balls.

But the edge flew down to third man, and two more wickets, including that of Tatenda Taibu for 31, left 21 needed of the last two overs, with demon spinners Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan to bowl them.

Zimbabwe threatened again after Stuart Matsikenyeri struck Mendis for a six and a four to leave 11 wanted from the last 10 balls.

But the innings imploded as Mendis gave up just one single from the final four balls of the penultimate over, and bowled Justice Chibhabha into the bargain.

Muralitharan then had Matsikenyeri lbw with the first ball of the last over, and Tawanda Mupariwa was unable to hit the final delivery for six.

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