Sri Lanka Win World Twenty20 Opener

Sri Lanka have beaten Zimbabwe in the opening fixture of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Hambantota.

The home side batted first and scored 183 thanks to runs from their top order before ripping through the visitors to win by 82 runs.

Zimbabwe had no answer for spinner Ajantha Mendis, who demolished through their batting line-up, claiming six wickets for eight runs, the best ever bowling figures in an international 20 over game.

Zimbabwe's scorecard made for poor reading, opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza top-scored with 20 but after that things went downhill, with only four other batsmen creeping into double figures.

Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene said: "It's tough playing a team like Zimbabwe as you can't take anything for granted.

"We got got a good score then bowled really well. It's a pretty good wicket but you have to get used to the pace a bit. The spinners came on and did the job."

Zimbabwe skipper Taylor was naturally disappointed to fall to such a convincing defeat in the opening game.

Speaking after the game he said: "We are a far better side than how we performed today but it was tough. We have to bounce back strongly. There's no excuse for it.

"We've all played enough cricket to go away from today and rethink, come back tomorrow and start training but we don't have a long time until Thursday."