Zimbabwe slump to new low

Vaas has enjoyed a memorable week

Triangular Series, Colombo: Sri Lanka 40-1 (4.2 overs) beat Zimbabwe 38 (15.4 overs) by nine wickets

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Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas was the chief destroyer as Zimbabwe were dismissed for the lowest score ever score in a one-day international.

Left-arm paceman Vaas returned record one-day figures of eight for 19, including a hat-trick, as the tourists fell apart in just 15.4 overs.

Zimbabwe's total was five runs less than Pakistan managed when they were bowled out for 43 by the West Indies at Cape Town in 1993.

And although Sri Lankan opener Avishka Gunawardene was out for two, skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu secured victory in double quick time.

Immediate breakthrough

It was one of the freak games - I wish it had not happened

Stuart Carlisle

Jayasuriya put Zimbabwe in after winning the toss and the home supporters were soon celebrating as Vaas trapped Dion Ebrahim lbw with the first ball of the match.

He was bristling with confidence after collecting 26 wickets in the three-Test series against West Indies, including seven in each innings of the third match.

Zimbabwe's poor start continued as Vaas bowled Grant Flower for one in his third over and two balls later claimed the vital wicket of the opener's brother Andy, who was caught behind for a duck.

Stuart Carlisle survived for 50 minutes to make 16 before slashing the ball into the hands of Suresh Perera at third man and Vaas followed that by dismssing Craig Wishart and Tatenda Taibu with his next two deliveries.

It was the 14th hat-trick in one-day internationals and the first by a Sri Lankan.

Humiliation

The rout continued as Vaas removed Heath Streak and Mluleki Nkala to leave Zimbabwe on 32 for eight.

Nuwan Zoysa had no luck from the other end and was taken out of the attack after sending down seven overs as Jayasuriya turned to off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

And he wasted no time in putting Zimbabwe out of their misery as he bowled Travis Friend for four and had last man Henry Olonga caught two balls later - Olonga becoming fifth Zimbabwe batsman to make nought.

The innings lasted just 87 minutes and although Streak quickly removed Gunawardene, it was no consolation for the tourists.

Marvan Atapattu made an unbeaten 23 from 16 balls and Jayasuriya ended the match by crashing Streak to the extra cover boundary to reach 13 not out.

The match was the first in the triangular series which also includes the West Indies.