Dilshan Madushanka’s hat-trick in the final over helped Sri Lanka to edge past spirited Zimbabwe by seven runs in the opening ODI of the two-match series here at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

The home side needed 10 runs off the final over, with set batters Sikandar Raza and Tony Munyonga unbeaten on 92 and 42, respectively.

Madushanka, who had conceded 60 runs from his nine overs, was handed over the ball by captain Charith Asalanka, and the left-arm pacer justified the decision by registering a hat-trick off the first three deliveries.

He leaked away only two runs in the decisive over, restricting Zimbabwe to 291/8 in pursuit of 299.

Experienced all-rounder Raza remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with an 87-ball 92, featuring eight deliveries.

Besides him, opening batter Ben C

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