Zimbabwe created a new record in their T20I history against Sri Lanka, scoring their highest-ever total against the island nation. Zimbabwe topped their previous best against Sri Lanka of 175/7, also made in Harare, on September 7, 2025, when they reached 191/8 in their full 20 overs in the series-deciding match at the Harare Sports Club. Despite this new record for Zimbabwe, it was Sri Lankans who ultimately came away with the series, easily chasing down the target to claim a 2-1 series victory.

After losing the toss, Zimbabwe batted first and, from the outset, adopted an aggressive strategy. Young opening batsman Tadiwanashe Marumani had a key role by scoring an excellent tempo of 51 and occupying the innings at the top. Contributions were made from battles with Sean Williams (23) and all-rounder Sikandar Raza (28), providing stability enough to ensure that Zimbabwe posted above the 190-run mark against Sri Lanka for the first time in T20Is. It was a competitive total of 191/8 on a pitch that had some assistance for the batters.

Sri Lanka’s dominant chase denies Zimbabwe despite record T20I total.

The Sri Lankan batting response was a contrasting story. It did not take long for the Sri Lankan visitors to chase down the target of  192 running comfortably in the end to win by 8 wickets with 14 balls to spare. The clinical batting of the Sri Lankan batsmen in the final match of the series demonstrated their dominance in the third and final game and clearly demonstrated the chasm in finishing power between the two countries. With the victory, Sri Lanka prevailed in the series contest 2-1 while demonstrating their ability to chase down totals under pressure.

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For Zimbabwe, this result was mixed. On the one hand, they acknowledged themselves out with an unfinished total against a major opponent, highlighting progress and intent to engage. On the other hand, for a team that had turned a record score into a lost cause was given stating weaknesses in their bowling were stated, which could not sustain pressure in the chase, also signifying an indictment in the series context: Zimbabwe were denied the chance to win a T20I series against a Full Member.

Nevertheless, Zimbabwe's batters, particularly in respect to Marumani and Raza, gave their supporters something to enjoy, as their young players stepped up Some senior players were also noteworthy, and everyone involved in international cricket should take positives as they continue to prepare for international challenges.

And whilst the historical effort did not conclude in victory, it did reinforce that Zimbabwe were increasingly demonstrating that they could challenge the better sides in T20 cricket... And this is unequivocally positive for the future of the team.

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka are set to clash in the decisive third T20I of the three-match series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, September 7. With the series locked at 1-1, both teams will be eager to secure victory and take home the trophy. In the second T20I, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that worked perfectly as Sri Lanka endured a nightmare with the bat, collapsing for just 80 runs in 17.4 overs.

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Brad Evans and Sikandar Raza were the standout performers with the ball, each claiming three wickets to dismantle Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. Chasing a modest target of 81, Zimbabwe faced some resistance but managed to cross the finish line in 14.2 overs, sealing the contest by five wickets. Sikandar Raza’s brilliant all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award, and he will once again be crucial as Zimbabwe aim for a series victory.

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I: Live Streaming Details

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I: Probable Playing XI

Zimbabwe:

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

Sri Lanka:

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando

On Saturday (September 6), Zimbabwe stunned Sri Lanka in the second T20I by bundling the visitors out for only 80 runs and won the match by five wickets to level the home T20I series before the last game of the three-match T20I series.

Trailing the series by 1-0, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza chose to field first after winning the toss at Harare. While the Chevrons bundled out the Lankans for only 80 runs, the hosts completed the chase in 14.2 overs despite losing five wickets. It was Zimbabwe's second T20I victory against Sri Lanka but first at home, while their first T20I win against the Lankans were recorded in January 2024 at Colombo (RPS), where the visitors won by four wickets with one ball remaining. 

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Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka 2025, 2nd T20I: Sikandar Raza and Brad Evans dominated with the ball

In the Lankan innings in the second T20I, only three batters managed to reach double-digit scores. While the no.3 batter Kamil Mishara scored a run-a-ball 20 runs, skipper Charith Asalanka scored 18 runs after coming to bat at no.5. Dasun Shanaka was the only other double-digit scorer in that innings as the no.7 batter scored 15 runs. 

Among the Zimbabwe bowlers, fast bowler Brad Evans (3/15) and spinner Sikandar Raza (3/11) picked up three wickets each. Also, Blessing Muzarabani got two wickets (2/14) and Sean Williams had one wicket (1/19). 

ZIM vs SL 2025, 2nd T20I: Zimbabwe chased comfortably despite early collapse

In reply, Zimbabwe were losing wickets at regular intervals. After the openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani set up a 20-run partnership for the first wicket, they lost three wickets for just seven runs. While Marumani scored 17 runs, Bennett scored 19 runs to provide early stability after the initial collapse. While the hosts were struggling at 61/5, Ryan Burl (20*) and Tashinga Musekiwa (21*) secured the much-needed win comfortably. 

Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Dushmantha Chameera got three wickets (3/19), while Binura Fernando (1/14) and Maheesh Theekshana (1/28) picked up one wicket each, but they haven't enough runs on the board. 

Zimbabwe (ZIM) will host Sri Lanka (SL) in the opening T20I of their three-match series at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, September 3. The series begins right after Zimbabwe sealed the ODI leg 2-0, boosting their morale heading into the shortest format. However, the hosts have yet to reveal their squad and are expected to make the announcement a day before the match. Their last T20I outing, a tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in July, ended poorly with four consecutive defeats.

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Sri Lanka enter the contest high on confidence after a dominant display in the ODI series. The visitors will aim to carry forward their winning momentum and add another T20I series victory to their record. With a solid setup and minimal changes expected in their approach, Sri Lanka’s focus will be on consistency. In 2025, they have already played four T20Is, winning two, and will hope to improve that record in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I: Live Streaming Details

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I: Probable Playing XI

Zimbabwe (Probable Playing XI)

To be announced........

Sri Lanka (Probable Playing XI)

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara

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. 

Visitors Sri Lanka claimed a dramatic thrilling win against the hosts Zimbabwe after the 24-year-old left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka delivered the match-winning ODI hat-trick to secure a seven-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match away ODI series at Harare on Friday (August 29). 

Chasing down the 299-run target, as Sri Lanka scored 298/6 in 50 overs, Zimbabwe had a horrible start, as the hosts lost two wickets in the first over before opening the scoreline. However, the next batters turned the game dramatically, as Ben Curran (70), captain Sean Williams (57), Sikandar Raza (92), and Tony Munyonga (43*) almost became the heroes for the Chevrons. 

In the last over of the match, Zimbabwe needed 10 runs to win with five wickets in hand, and Raza and Munyonga had already built up a powerful 128-run partnership for the sixth wicket in 114 balls. The left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka had the duty in the last over, who delivered the over brilliantly as the hosts ended their innings at 291/8 in 50 overs.

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ZIM vs SL 2025, 1st ODI: Dilshan Madushanka recorded ODI hat-trick in the thrilling final over

After Madushanka bowled Raza for 92 runs on the first ball of the over, Brad Evans was caught out at short fine for a golden duck on the next delivery, and the left-arm pacer completed his first ODI hat-trick with a bowled to Richard Ngarava on the next delivery. In the last three balls, Madushanka conceded only two runs to secure a seven-run victory for the Lankans. Now, check some stats of Madushanka's latest ODI hat-trick. 

DILSHAN MADUSHANKA TOOK A HAT-TRICK IN THE FINAL OVER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5g0p8JjJ96

— DK Rajpurohit 🇮🇳 (@DeviSin61134860) August 29, 2025

• It was the 52nd ODI hat-trick.
• Madushanka became the eighth Sri Lankan bowler to record an ODI hat-trick.
• It was the 11th time that a Sri Lankan bowler recorded an ODI hat-trick.
• After Chaminda Vaas and Wanindu Hasaranga, Madushanka became the third Sri Lankan to record an ODI hat-trick against Zimbabwe.
• Madushanka became the seventh bowler to record an ODI hat-trick against Zimbabwe.
• It was the eighth time that a bowler recorded an ODI hat-trick against Zimbabwe. 

Sri Lankan bowlers with ODI hat-tricks

*Lasith Malinga's first ODI hat-trick was the four consecutive wickets, which was the first instance in international cricket history.

Dilshan Madushanka ended the game as the Player of the Match with the match-winning bowling figures of 10-0-62-4. 

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will square off in the first ODI of the two-match series at Harare Sports Club on Friday, August 29. The hosts enter the contest after a disappointing run, having lost the Test series 2-0 against New Zealand and failing to deliver in their home T20I tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa. Zimbabwe will be eager to bounce back and make the most of their home conditions in this fresh challenge.

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Sri Lanka, on the other hand, arrive after hosting Bangladesh in a multi-format tour, where they clinched both the Test and ODI series but fell short in the T20Is. The visitors will aim to carry forward their recent ODI success, though they face a setback with Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of the first ODI. How the side adapts to his absence will be a key factor in determining their performance in the opening clash.

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Live Streaming Details

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Probable Playing XI

Zimbabwe (ZIM):

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine (c), Clive Madande (wk), Sikandar Raza, Johnathan Campbell, Sean Williams, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu

Sri Lanka (SL):

Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera

Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor is now set to make a return to ODI cricket, as the 39-year-old has been selected in Zimbabwe ODI squad for the upcoming home ODI series against Sri Lanka. 

Zimbabwe are ready to host a two-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 29. The T20I series will be crucial for both teams, as Zimbabwe are preparing for the 2025 Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, and Sri Lanka are preparing for the Asia Cup 2025. 

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Brendan Taylor making ODI comeback, last played in September 2021

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe are ready for their first ODI since last February, when they hosted Ireland and won that series 2-1. Captain Craig Ervine is ready to lead the Zimbabwe team, while Brendan Taylor has been selected for the ODI series. He is ready to make his ODI comeback after September 2021. In his ODI career, the right-handed batter has scored 6684 runs in 205 matches with an average of 35.55, including 11 centuries and 39 half-centuries. He is the second most ODI run-scorer for Zimbabwe, just 102 runs behind Andy Flower (6786 runs), but holds the record of most ODI and international centuries for his national team. 

Recently, Taylor made a comeback in international cricket after four years by completing his 3.5-year ban from the game after his spot-fixing involvement revelation. He featured in the second Test against New Zealand at home, where he scored 44 and seven runs, but the Chevrons lost by an innings and 359 runs. 

Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani are also returning to the Zimbabwe squad to make the bowling attack stronger. Zimbabwe are hoping for a much-needed luck change after their recent tough experiences against South Africa and New Zealand at home. 

Zimbabwe complete squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka

Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Ernest Masuku, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams.

Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe 2025

ODI series

August 29: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

August 31: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

T20I series

September 3: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

September 6: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

September 7: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

Sri Lanka has announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Despite the Asia Cup 2025 to follow just a few days after the end of the trip, they have picked a strong 50-over side, perhaps for the preparation of the next ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Wanindu Hasaranga isn’t part of the three 50-over fixtures, which begin on August 29 and will continue to August 31 and September 03, as all the games will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The spinner isn’t part of the side in ODIs and is expected to be part of the T20Is, which will be followed by the Asia Cup 2025 a few days later.

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Pathum Nissanka has cracked the formats beautifully recently. In 69 ODI innings, the right-handed batter has smashed 2548 runs at an average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of nearly 90 with the help of six centuries and 16 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 210 runs.

Sri Lanka rest Wanindu Hasaranga for away Zimbabwe ODIs

The responsibility of the captain will be immense. Leader, Charith Asalanakar, who has now clubbed 2544 runs in 68 innings at an average of 43.86 and a strike rate of 90.88, with five centuries and 16 fifties at the best score of 127 runs, will look to lead the side from the front.  

Maheesh Theekshana who has 77 wickets in 54 ODI innings, at an average of 26.26 and an economy rate of 4.57. He has the skill of handling the new ball beautifully and picking inside the power play. Asitha Fernando has also grown with skills for the new ball bowling.

Sri Lanka will also have Dunith Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay to use the old ball in the middle overs. Dushmantha Chameera will be another fast bowler who can use his expressive pace to trouble the batters.

Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for Zimbabwe series

Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwaindu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyange, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Ratnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.