Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis frustrated Zimbabwe's hopes of a series-levelling win at the Harare Sports Club Ground with a stubborn 116 not out as the second Test petered out to a draw on Friday.
Sri Lanka's 10-wicket win in the first Test last week at the same venue meant they won the series 1-0.
Zimbabwe faced just one ball in the morning which captain Sean Williams hit for six to bring up his half-century. He immediately declared setting Sri Lanka a challenging target of 361.
They lost the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando for 47 and Angelo Mathews but Mendis' seventh Test century guided them through to the safety of a draw.
His 116 came off 233 balls and included 13 fours a six as Sri Lanka finished on 205 for three, still 156 runs short of victory.
"Zimbabwe showed a lot of character," said Sri Lanka captain Karunaratne.
"It is hard to come back after losing the first Test but they played good cricket. We had to stay positive and bat the whole day."
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"He gave us a chance. I am very proud of the way we played."
"We had to grind and grind. Kusal had to bat brilliantly to save the match."
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