One-day international tri-series, Harare:
Sri Lanka 203-1 (34.4) bt Zimbabwe 199 (49 ovs) by nine wickets
Match scorecard

Dilshan saw his team home to victory with an assured innings

Tillakaratne Dilshan struck an unbeaten century as Sri Lanka sealed the one-day triangular series in Harare after an emphatic nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe had eliminated India after beating them twice and also beat the Sri Lankans in the final group match.

But asked to bat they were 199 all out, as only Tatenda Taibu (71) impressed.

Upul Tharanga and Dilshan shared 160 inside 26 overs and Dilshan fired 14 fours in an unbeaten 108 from 102 balls as Sri Lanka won with 92 balls left.

It was Dilshan's seventh one-day international century and surprisingly his first in 17 matches against Zimbabwe.

"I was really elated, both for the 100 and for our series victory to take home after a hard time abroad," said the 33-year-old, who reached three figures from 97 deliveries.

"We brought several youngsters with us for experience and they certainly benefitted. It was all well worthwhile."

Taibu made a slow start after coming in an number three in the fifth over of the Zimbabwe innings, scoring only four from his opening 22 balls, but his patient 93-ball knock was essential.

Though Greg Lamb made a useful 37 and Charles Coventry hit three fours in a cameo 18 from 12 balls the total always looked inferior.

Man-of-the-match Dilshan struck his first ball for four and the Sri Lanka 50 came from 44 balls - with Zimbabwe's taking a painstaking 105.

It should have been a 10-wicket victory but Dilshan set off for an ill-advised quick single to Graeme Cremer at point, both batsmen were in no man's land and Tharanga unselfishly sacrificed his wicket.

Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura lamented a poor start in the final but was encouraged by his team's overall display in the tournament.

"We were put under pressure right from the start and just couldn't get going early on," he said. "But we take a lot of pluses from the last two weeks."

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