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Zimbabwe produced a commanding performance in Rawalpindi, crushing Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the second match of the men’s T20I tri-series. After posting a competitive 162 for 8, Zimbabwe’s disciplined and relentless bowling attack dismantled Sri Lanka for just 95, sealing a much-needed win after their opening defeat to Pakistan.
Every bowler played a role in Sri Lanka’s demise, but Brad Evans stood out with outstanding figures of 3 for 9, supported superbly by Richard Ngarava’s 2 for 15. Sri Lanka’s batting, however, fell apart in dramatic fashion, with only stand-in captain Dasun Shanaka showing any real resistance with a gritty 34 off 25 balls.
Zimbabwe Set Up Victory with Bennett and Raza’s Firepower
Put in to bat, Zimbabwe started confidently, thanks to the in-form Brian Bennett. He once again gave his side a rapid start, smashing boundaries in the powerplay as he and Tadiwanashe Marumani put on 26 runs in just over three overs. Bennett looked dangerous throughout, picking gaps early and forcing Sri Lanka’s bowlers on the defensive.
Sri Lanka hit back when Maheesh Theekshana and debutant Eshan Malinga removed both openers, checking Zimbabwe’s momentum and restoring balance after six overs with the score at 46 for 2.
Sikandar Raza, determined to prevent a repeat of Zimbabwe’s middle-order collapse against Pakistan, promoted himself up the order. It proved to be a decisive move. Raza and Bennett took charge during the middle overs, stitching together a 61-run stand off 44 balls. Their smart shot selection, sharp placement, and aggressive intent carried Zimbabwe past the 100-mark inside 14 overs.
Bennett, for the second consecutive match, fell agonizingly short of a half-century, dismissed for a well-made 49. Raza kept Zimbabwe’s tempo strong, hammering three boundaries and two sixes during his fluent 47 off 32 deliveries. At one stage, Zimbabwe were looking well on course to reach 180, but Shanaka’s brilliant running catch ended Raza’s innings and pegged them back.
Sri Lanka Fight Back at the Death
Once Bennett and Raza departed, Zimbabwe lost momentum significantly. The final three overs brought only 22 runs as Sri Lanka’s bowlers executed their yorkers well. Malinga impressed on debut, finishing with 2 for 27, including two wickets in a single over. Dushmantha Chameera also kept things tight at the end, conceding just 12 runs in his final two overs.
Zimbabwe’s total of 162 for 8 looked competitive rather than imposing—but Sri Lanka’s chasing effort turned it into a match-winning score.
Sri Lanka’s Nightmare Chase Begins
Sri Lanka’s batting display quickly unravelled into a complete nightmare.
Their powerplay score of 25 for 2 was their lowest in T20Is in 2025, and their lack of intent was clear from the start. Zimbabwe’s bowlers bowled to smart plans—tight lines, consistent lengths, and subtle changes in pace—all of which created immense pressure.
Pathum Nissanka chipped a simple catch to midwicket in the opening over, while Kusal Perera miscued a pull to short fine leg in the next. The early double strike rattled Sri Lanka, and what followed was a display of poor decision-making and panic.
Middle-Order Meltdown
Bhanuka Rajapaksa, returning to T20I cricket after nearly a year, looked horribly out of touch. His struggle was painful to watch—11 off 18 balls—and his partnership with Kusal Mendis yielded only 19 runs off 26 balls. Zimbabwe’s bowlers—Ngarava, Evans, and young Tinotenda Maposa—gave nothing away, forcing Sri Lanka into desperate singles.
Rajapaksa’s poor judgement cost Sri Lanka dearly. He pushed a ball straight to cover and ran, leaving Mendis stranded halfway down the pitch. Even a poor throw could not save Mendis, who was run out after a hopeless dash back.
One over later, Rajapaksa nearly ran out Shanaka by refusing a simple single, saved only by a wild throw from the deep. His fortunes finally ended when he tried to slog his way out of trouble and was clean bowled. By the 10th over, Sri Lanka were 46 for 4; Raza then slipped one through Kamindu Mendis’ defences to make it 5 down.
Shanaka’s Lone Fight Not Enough
Dasun Shanaka, captaining in place of the injured Hasaranga, attempted a counterattack. He struck a few confident blows and looked capable of holding the innings together. But with wickets tumbling at the other end and the run rate climbing, Shanaka’s job became increasingly impossible.
His dismissal, edging behind off Ryan Burl, ended Sri Lanka’s faint hopes. After that, the rest of the batting simply played out the overs, failing to build any partnerships as the target drifted further away.
Zimbabwe finished things off emphatically, with Brad Evans cleaning up the final wicket on the last ball of the innings, sealing Sri Lanka’s humiliating 95 all out.
A Perfect Comeback for Zimbabwe
After their defeat to Pakistan, Zimbabwe needed a strong response—and they delivered one in style. With every bowler contributing and their batting unit showing greater intent, they produced a complete team performance.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on one of their most disappointing T20 batting efforts in recent memory, plagued by panic, poor shot selection, and chaotic running.
Zimbabwe’s 67-run victory not only revives their tri-series campaign but also signals a much-improved and determined side ready to challenge Pakistan again in the coming matches.
