Sri Lanka won the match by 25 runs with master off-spinner Muralitharan taking five for 23.

The visitors scored 246 for seven after winning the toss and choosing to bat on a sluggish pitch.

Zimbabwe replied with a respectable 221 for nine, with Brendan Taylor scoring a circumspect 74.

Russel Arnold made Sri Lanka's top score, an urgent 51 off as many deliveries with five fours and a six.

Zimbabwe selected an inexperienced squad for the series after 15 players refused to play in a dispute with the country's Cricket Union.

The players agreed on Wednesday to make themselves available for selection from Friday.