Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka 2025, 2nd ODI: Match highlight and key performances

Sri Lanka clinched the two-match ODI series against the hosts Zimbabwe after another thrilling victory in the series-decider on Sunday (August 31), as the Lankans beat the Chevrons by five wickets after chasing down the 278-run target in 49.3 balls with only three balls remaining. After losing their home ODI series in 2017, it was Sri Lanka's third straight bilateral ODI series win against Zimbabwe.

Leading the series 1-0 after winning the thrilling series opener, where the Sri Lankan left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka recorded an ODI hat-trick in the final over of the match to secure a victory, the visitors chose to field first in the second ODI. After Zimbabwe scored 277/7 in 50 overs, the visitors fought hard but calmly to successfully chase the target in the final over. 

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ZIM vs SL 2025, 2nd ODI: Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza continued their form

Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett (21), the no.3 Brendan Taylor (20), and skipper Sean Williams (20) failed to carry their starts, while the other opener Ben Curran and dependable middle-order Sikandar Raza controlled the innings with their back-to-back half-centuries. Curran recorded a 55-ball half-century and scored 79 runs off 95 balls with nine fours before losing his wicket in the 32nd over. 

Later, Sikandar Raza scored a 51-ball half-century and scored 59 not out off 55 balls with the help of five fours and one six. Also, the wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande added a cameo of a crucial run-a-ball 36 runs with four fours. 

Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Dushmantha Chameera (3/52) got three wickets, and Asitha Fernando (2/67) picked up two wickets. Meanwhile, the last match hero Dilshan Madushanka (1/57) got one wicket along with Janith Liyanage (1/36). 

ZIM vs SL 2025, 2nd ODI: Pathum Nissanka's century and Charith Asalanka's 71 secured win

In reply, Sri Lanka lost their opener Nuwanidu Fernando (14) and Kusal Mendis (5) cheaply, but the other opener Pathum Nissanka continued his good form by scoring his second consecutive 50+ score in this series. Sadeera Samarawickrama had a 78-run partnership for the third wicket with Nissanka before losing his wicket for 31 runs.

Meanwhile, after completing his 50 runs in 54 balls, Nissanka continued his strong innings. He got a life in the 27th over, when he was batting at 78 runs, as Brad Evans dropped him at short cover. It cost the hosts hugely, as the Lankan opener scored his seventh ODI century in 111 balls. He had a 90-run fourth-wicket partnership with the skipper Charith Asalanka before losing his wicket for 122 runs in 136 balls with 16 fours. However, the Lankan skipper controlled the latter part of the innings as he scored a 43-ball fifty and 71 runs off 61 balls before losing his wicket in the 49th over, when the visitors needed six runs in eight balls.

Among the Zimbabwean bowlers, Richard Ngarava (2/53) and Brad Evans (2/54) got more than one wicket in the innings.