Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe by 9 wickets in the fifth match of the Tri-Nation T20 Series, keeping their hopes alive for a place in the final.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 146 for 5 in 20 overs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

In response, Sri Lanka chased down the target in 17 overs, losing just one wicket.

Sri Lanka needed a victory to stay in contention, having failed to secure any points in their previous two matches.

Zimbabwe’s captain, Sikandar Raza, said the decision to bat first was based on the wicket’s batting-friendly conditions and aimed to set a challenging target.

Sri Lanka’s squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pawan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahesh Theekshana, and Ishan Malinga.

Zimbabwe’s squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor (wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, and Wellington Masakadza.

Earlier in the series, Sri Lanka had lost both of their matches, while Zimbabwe won one out of three games.

Pakistan had already qualified for the final after defeating Zimbabwe by 69 runs two days ago.

Sri Lanka will now aim to carry this momentum into their remaining matches to secure a spot in the Tri-Nation T20 final.