Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard — Thrilling 3rd T20I at Harare Sports Club, January 10, 2025
Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Full Match Overview
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team match scorecard from the 3rd and final T20I of Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe 2025 delivered a thrilling finish at the iconic Harare Sports Club. Played on January 10, 2025, this cricket match was the decider of a fiercely contested three-match T20I series, with both sides locked at 1-1 heading into the final encounter.
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a competitive total on a surface that offered some early assistance to the seamers. However, Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack, led by the ever-dangerous Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, kept Zimbabwe in check throughout their innings. The hosts managed 155/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka chased down the target with composure, reaching 158/4 in just 18.3 overs. Opener Kusal Mendis anchored the chase with a brilliant unbeaten 64 off 42 deliveries, earning him the Player of the Match award. Sri Lanka clinched the match by 6 wickets and sealed the T20I series 2-1, capping off a memorable tour of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Batting Scorecard – 1st Innings
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | c Dhananjaya b Theekshana | 28 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 127.27 |
| Craig Ervine (c) | b Madushanka | 15 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 107.14 |
| Sikandar Raza | c Mendis b Hasaranga | 42 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 140.00 |
| Sean Williams | run out (Shanaka) | 25 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Ryan Burl | c Nissanka b Madushanka | 18 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 120.00 |
| Luke Jongwe | not out | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Clive Madande (wk) | b Fernando | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Extras (b 2, lb 3, w 7) | 12 | |||||
| Total | 155/7 | (20.0 overs) |
Fall of Wickets: 1-38 (Ervine, 4.2), 2-55 (Bennett, 6.5), 3-105 (Williams, 13.1), 4-120 (Raza, 15.3), 5-140 (Burl, 17.4), 6-148 (Madande, 19.1), 7-155 (Jongwe, 20.0)
Sri Lanka Bowling Figures – 1st Innings
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dilshan Madushanka | 4 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 8.00 |
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 8.75 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 4 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 7.75 |
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Batting Scorecard – 2nd Innings
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c Burl b Raza | 52 | 38 | 5 | 1 | 136.84 |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | not out | 64 | 42 | 6 | 2 | 152.38 |
| Kusal Perera | c Ervine b Jongwe | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Charith Asalanka | c Madande b Raza | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Dasun Shanaka (c) | b Williams | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 88.89 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | not out | 15 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 187.50 |
| Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 4) | 7 | |||||
| Total | 158/4 | (18.3 overs) |
Fall of Wickets: 1-95 (Nissanka, 11.2), 2-112 (Perera, 13.4), 3-118 (Asalanka, 14.5), 4-132 (Shanaka, 16.3)
Zimbabwe Bowling Figures – 2nd Innings
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blessing Muzarabani | 3.3 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 8.00 |
| Richard Ngarava | 4 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 8.00 |
| Sikandar Raza | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| Sean Williams | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 |
| Luke Jongwe | 3 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 11.67 |
Key Highlights & Match Analysis – Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Cricket Match
Top Batting Performance
The standout innings of this cricket match belonged unquestionably to Kusal Mendis, who played a captain’s knock (in the absence of the regular skipper) to guide Sri Lanka home. His unbeaten 64 off just 42 balls was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Mendis struck 6 fours and 2 sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 152.38. He built a crucial 95-run opening partnership with Pathum Nissanka (52 off 38) that effectively broke the back of Zimbabwe’s bowling attack. Nissanka’s innings, featuring 5 boundaries and a six, provided the perfect platform before Mendis took over the finishing duties.
For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza once again proved why he remains the backbone of the side. His 42 off 30 balls (4 fours, 1 six) was the highest individual score in the Zimbabwe innings and came at a critical juncture when the hosts were in danger of collapsing. Sean Williams chipped in with a useful 25, but the lower order failed to capitalize.
Top Bowling Performance
Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, returning figures of 4-0-22-2 at an economy rate of just 5.50. His ability to bowl tight overs in the middle phase and pick up the crucial wicket of Sikandar Raza turned the momentum firmly in Sri Lanka’s favour. Dilshan Madushanka complemented him well with 2 for 32, removing the dangerous Craig Ervine early and cleaning up Ryan Burl in the death overs.
For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza was equally impressive with the ball, claiming 2 for 25 in his four overs. His dismissals of Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka gave Zimbabwe brief moments of hope during the chase.
Turning Point of the Match
The defining moment came in the 12th over of Sri Lanka’s chase. With Nissanka and Mendis looking settled at 95/0, Raza struck to remove Nissanka for 52. Zimbabwe sensed an opportunity, and when Kusal Perera fell shortly after, the game appeared to be opening up. However, Mendis refused to panic. He accelerated through the 14th to 17th overs, taking on Sean Williams and Luke Jongwe with calculated aggression. By the time Dasun Shanaka departed in the 17th over, Mendis had already taken the required rate well under control. Sri Lanka needed just 12 more runs, and they cruised home with 9 balls to spare.
Records and Milestones
- Kusal Mendis surpassed 3,000 T20I runs during this innings, becoming only the third Sri Lankan to achieve this feat.
- Sri Lanka recorded their 14th T20I win against Zimbabwe, extending their dominance in the format.
- Wanindu Hasaranga’s economy of 5.50 was his best in a T20I against Zimbabwe.
Head-to-Head Record: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka
| Format | Matches | Zimbabwe Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | No Result / Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 22 | 3 | 15 | 4 |
| ODIs | 66 | 10 | 51 | 5 |
| T20Is | 19 | 3 | 15 | 1 |
Sri Lanka have historically dominated this contest across all three formats. Zimbabwe’s wins have been rare but memorable, often coming on home soil at Harare Sports Club.
FAQ Section
Q: Who won the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team match? A: Sri Lanka won the 3rd T20I by 6 wickets, successfully chasing Zimbabwe’s total of 155 with 9 balls to spare at Harare Sports Club on January 10, 2025.
Q: Who was the Player of the Match in this cricket match? A: Kusal Mendis was named Player of the Match for his match-winning unbeaten 64 off 42 balls, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes, anchoring Sri Lanka’s successful run chase.
Q: What was the final match result and scorecard summary? A: Zimbabwe scored 155/7 in 20 overs (Sikandar Raza top-scored with 42). Sri Lanka chased it down, finishing at 158/4 in 18.3 overs (Kusal Mendis 64*, Pathum Nissanka 52). Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets.
Q: When and where was this Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka match played? A: The 3rd T20I was played on January 10, 2025, at Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe, as part of Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe 2025.
Q: What was the final T20I series score between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka? A: Sri Lanka won the three-match T20I series 2-1. Zimbabwe won the 1st T20I, Sri Lanka levelled with a win in the 2nd T20I, and Sri Lanka clinched the decider in this 3rd T20I.
Q: Who were the top bowlers in this innings? A: For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (4-0-22-2) and Dilshan Madushanka (4-0-32-2) were the standout bowlers. For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza (4-0-25-2) led the attack.
Conclusion
This Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team match scorecard will be remembered as a clinical chase under pressure. While Zimbabwe showed fight through Sikandar Raza’s all-round brilliance, Sri Lanka’s depth in batting and the composure of Kusal Mendis proved decisive. The 2-1 series win gives Sri Lanka valuable momentum heading into their upcoming ODI commitments in 2025. Zimbabwe, despite the series loss, showed encouraging signs, particularly through their young top order. The next bilateral assignment for Zimbabwe is expected to be a home ODI series later in 2025, while Sri Lanka turn their attention to the upcoming multi-nation tournament schedule.
