Zimbabwe, thanks to a splendid unbeaten 120 by Andy Flower and his unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 153 runs off 26 overs with DP Viljoen (63) made a superb recovery in their Coca Cola Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka at Sharjah on Saturday. After being 72 for four, Zimbabwe closed at 225 for four off 50 overs.

Put in to bat, Zimbabwe made a disastrous start. DA Marillier was caught behind by Kaluwitharana off Zoysa for seven. Then a brilliant direct throw by Atapattu ran out Stuart Carlisle for a duck to have Zimbabwe 13 for two.

Flower entered at this stage and he and the other opener MA Vermeulen (22) added 43 runs for the third wicket off 11.3 overs before the latter was out to a great catch by skipper Sanath Jayasuriya at mid off. Vermeulen hit Weeraratne high towards long off but the Lankan skipper ran backwards and then leaped to pluck the ball with his outstretched left hand.

Guy Whittal did not last long, giving Muthiah Muralitharan a low return catch and Zimbabwe were tottering at 72 for four after 24 overs. But that was the last wicket that Sri Lanka took for Flower and Viljoen took charge. First they wrested the initiative and towards the end there was a cascade of runs. Flower, Zimbabwe's highest run getter, duly reached a splendid century and Viljoen hit three sixes in the closing stages to give the scoring rate a tremendous boost. Viljoen who faced 72 balls also hit one boundary. But the chief honours were with Flower. The veteran faced 141 balls and hit eight fours and a six to give Zimbabwe a fighting chance in the match.

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