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Spin sensation Ajantha Mendis [Images] bagged three wickets as Sri Lanka [Images] scored a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first game of the Canada [Images] T20 tournament in Toronto on Friday.

Mendis, the ICC's [Images] Emerging Player of the Year, finished with 3-15 from three overs after ripping the heart out of the Zimbabwe middle order including dismissing Prosper Utseya with his 'carrom ball', which turns away from the right-handers.

For his effort he was named man of the match.

Tatenda Taibu, the former captain, finished on 45 to push Zimbabwe to 106-8 off 17 overs in match shortened by the damp outfield at the King's City venue.

In reply, Sri Lanka openers Tillakaratne Dilshan [Images] and Mahela Udawatte put on 36 in four overs, before Udawatte was caught behind.

Left-arm spinner Ray Price bowled an economical spell which yielded two wickets including debutant Jeevantha Kulatunga and Dilshan.

Thilina Kandamby and skipper Mahela Jayawardene [Images] were both run-out as Zimbabwe reduced the Asian side to 77-5 before Chamara Kapugedera and Farveez Maharoof saw their team home.