SRI Lanka are in a sniffing distance of a series second Test victory and series whitewash as they only require to take three of the remaining Zimbabwean wickets at Harare Sports Club.

With a massive 311-run cushion, Sri Lanka have Zimbabwe pinned on 180-7 after 45 overs in the second innings going into the final day.

In the first innings, Sri Lanka made 504 all out whereas Zimbabwe crumbled to 272. Then in the second innings, Sri Lanka declared at 258-9 after 81, 4 overs setting Zimbabwe a humongous target of 491 with over a day and a half to bat.

But Zimbabwe suffered another collapse in their second innings as Sri Lanka veteran spinner Rangana Herath crippled the top order with wickets of Brian Chari (eight), 

Hamilton Masakadza (11) and Tino Mawoyo for 15.

At 39-3, Zimbabwe added on 74 runs for the fourth wicket courtesy of Craig Ervine and Sean Williams.

As things looked to be stabilising, Zimbabwe lost two more wickets, Williams (45) to Lahiru Kumara, Malcolm Waller (one) to Dhananjaya de Silva and Peter Moor (20) to Herath, putting them in a spot of bother.

At 166-6, Ervine, past his third career half century and second in the match, looked in good nick but his partner in captain Graeme Cremer (five) didn’t last long before becoming Herath’s fifth victim. The left arm spinner has taken 5-45 thus far.

However, Zimbabwe’s desire of either saving the game or stretching into the last session or final hour are almost gone with just three wickets left.

Ervine (65 not out) and Donald Tiripano, yet to score, are at the crease.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sri Lanka had resumed form their overnight score of 102-4 but a four-wicket haul by Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer and a solo scalp by Chris Mpofu all in addition to Carl Mumba’s 3-67 kept the visitors at bay.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne (88) and Kusal Perera (62) were main contributors for Sri Lanka in the second innings.