Jongwe was also dropped off the bowling of Mathews before the match ended, with Zimbabwe sealing victory off the penultimate ball. This was the third tight finish of the tour, but Zimbabwe’s first win.
“Over the past few months I’ve been in situations where I could have won games for my country, and even for my franchise back home, and I couldn’t do it,” Jongwe said after the game. “I got close, but couldn’t cross the line. Doing it against Sri Lanka, considering Angelo was one of my role models growing up, is even better. That’s special.
“He used to be my wallpaper when I was a kid. He was still using Gray-Nicolls gear at that time. I was still a youngster. On Facebook at one point he was my profile picture. There’s too much happening for me today. There are a lot of emotions. I’m just grateful to God.”
Jongwe had bided his time at the crease, awaiting that over from an allrounder that he knew Sri Lanka needed to deliver. He had come to the crease in the 17th over, and struck one four in his first seven balls. But with the frontline bowlers having only two overs left, he knew there would be easier runs on offer later.
“I knew they needed one over from someone, because Chameera was done and Madushanka was done. I told myself I wasn’t going to take a risk against them, and wait until the last over, and give myself the best chance.
“I think 20 runs was a lot to be honest. The wicket got better to bat on – Sri Lanka had been 25 for 4, and we were looking to restrict them to 140. But when we bowled in the death – I bowled in the death as well – we talked afterwards and thought that something had changed in the wicket. The ball was starting to come on to the bat nicely. We knew we just need to keep wickets intact and build partnerships to try and get our team over the line.”