Zimbabwe defeat Sri Lanka in Hambantota ODI, clinch first-ever major overseas series

Zimbabwe made a dramatic comeback to survive a collapse and beat Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI at Hambantotan to seal their first major overseas one-day series win since 2001.

The Zimbabweans had not beaten a fellow Test-playing nation away from home since winning against Bangladesh 16 years ago. Despite losing six wickets for 38 runs, they managed to cross the line against Sri Lanka's below-par 203-8 in Hambantota. Hamilton Masakadza was the architect of the victory, hitting 73 which followed the 111 he made in the third of five ODIs.

Sri Lanka, who are yet to automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup in England find themselves in thick soup after this stunning loss to the lesser fancied Zimabweans.

While they would need an unlikely set of results to avoid being pipped by West Indies on the 30 September cut-off, the 1996 champions remain at risk of having to go through a play-off with the likes of Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea.