Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction, 1st T20I 2025 – Match Preview & Fantasy Tips

Match Details

• Fixture: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I (Sri Lanka Tour of Zimbabwe 2025)

• Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

• Time: 5:00 PM IST / 1:30 PM Local / 11:30 AM GMT

• Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

• Broadcast/Streaming: FanCode (India). Live streaming may be geo-restricted in other regions.

Series Context

• Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka lock horns in a three-match T20I series, right after the visitors clinched the ODI series 2–0.

• Zimbabwe will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing ODI campaign and a poor T20I record in recent months.

• Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are preparing for the upcoming Asia Cup and will use this series to fine-tune their squad.

Head-to-Head in T20Is

• Total Matches: 6

• Sri Lanka wins: 5

• Zimbabwe wins: 1

• Last Meeting: Sri Lanka won the 2012 Men’s T20 World Cup encounter.

• In the most recent bilateral T20I series, Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe 2–1.

Current Form & ICC T20I Rankings

• Zimbabwe: Ranked 12th (Rating: 199)

  • Recently lost all games in a T20I tri-series against New Zealand & South Africa.

  • On a four-match T20I losing streak.

• Sri Lanka: Ranked 7th (Rating: 232)

  • Lost last T20I series vs Bangladesh (2–1).

  • But confident after 2–0 ODI series win in Zimbabwe.

Pitch Report – Harare Sports Club

• Traditionally a batting-friendly pitch in white-ball cricket.

• Recent scores: New Zealand posted 180/5 in the last T20I here.

• Expect good stroke play and runs at this venue.

• Fast bowlers: Might get extra bounce early but little swing.

• Spinners: Can exploit dry conditions for turn and bounce.

Weather Report – Harare, Sep 3

• Clear skies, no rain forecast.

• Day high: 29–30°C, Night low: 15–16°C.

• Humidity: Around 30% in the evening.

• Conditions favor batting with minimal weather interruptions.

Toss Prediction

• Last 2 T20Is in Harare: Team batting first won both.

• Captains likely to bat first, aiming for 170+ to put scoreboard pressure.

Zimbabwe Squad & Preview

Squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Clive Madande (wk), Tony Munyonga, Tinotenda Maposa, Trevor Gwandu, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa.

Key Points:

• Sikandar Raza: Captain & most reliable all-rounder, carries Zimbabwe’s hopes.

• Sean Williams: Veteran returns after a year’s gap in T20Is. Needs to steady the middle order.

• Brendan Taylor: Experienced keeper-batter, crucial for stability.

• Ryan Burl: Capable but inconsistent (29, 12, 36*, 5 in last outings).

• Brian Bennett & Dion Myers: Young talents but yet to prove at international level.

• Bowling:

  • Richard Ngarava & Blessing Muzarabani lead pace attack.

  • Trevor Gwandu adds youthful energy.

  • Lack of depth beyond main pacers.

Sri Lanka Squad & Preview

Squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.

Key Points:

• Pathum Nissanka: In terrific form (425 runs in last 10 T20Is). Likely top run-scorer.

• Kusal Mendis & Kusal Perera: Aggressive batters who can dominate the powerplay.

• Charith Asalanka: Captain, reliable middle-order anchor, big hitter.

• Kamindu Mendis: All-rounder with ambidextrous bowling adds balance.

• Dasun Shanaka: Experienced finisher with both bat & ball.

• Spin:

  • Maheesh Theekshana: Mystery spinner, economical and wicket-taking.

  • Dunith Wellalage: Offers variation and control.

• Pace:

  • Matheesha Pathirana & Nuwan Thushara: Slingy action, dangerous at death.

  • Binura Fernando: Left-arm option with bounce.

Key Players to Watch

Zimbabwe

• Sikandar Raza – The talisman, match-winner potential with both bat & ball.

• Sean Williams – Experience in middle order crucial.

• Brian Bennett – Promising batter, but under pressure to deliver.

• Richard Ngarava – Strike bowler, expected to lead wicket tally.

• Blessing Muzarabani – Tall pacer who can trouble with bounce.

Sri Lanka

• Pathum Nissanka – Top-order run machine.

• Kusal Mendis – Explosive wicketkeeper-batter.

• Charith Asalanka – Captain & big-hitting middle-order batter.

• Maheesh Theekshana – Mystery spinner to watch.

• Matheesha Pathirana – Death overs specialist.

Statistical Highlights (ODI series leading into T20Is)

Top ODI Run-scorers:

1. Pathum Nissanka – 198 runs (SR 86.8)

2. Sikandar Raza – 151 runs (SR 106.3)

3. Ben Curran – 149 runs

Top ODI Wicket-takers:

1. Dilshan Madushanka – 5 wickets

2. Asitha Fernando – 5 wickets

3. Richard Ngarava – 4 wickets

Probable Playing XIs

Zimbabwe XI:
Brendan Taylor (wk), Brian Bennett, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Dion Myers/Clive Madande.

Sri Lanka XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Nuwanidu Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana / Binura Fernando.

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Fantasy Cricket Tips

Suggested Team 1

• WK: Kusal Mendis

• Batters: Charith Asalanka, Ryan Burl, Brian Bennett, Pathum Nissanka

• All-rounders: Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka, Sean Williams

• Bowlers: Blessing Muzarabani, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana

• Captain: Pathum Nissanka

• Vice-captain: Kusal Mendis

Suggested Team 2

• WKs: Kusal Mendis, Brendan Taylor

• Batters: Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka

• All-rounders: Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka, Sean Williams

• Bowlers: Richard Ngarava, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Blessing Muzarabani

• Captain: Sikandar Raza

• Vice-captain: Sean Williams

Betting Tips & Predictions

• Top Batter (ZIM): Sikandar Raza / Brian Bennett

• Top Batter (SL): Pathum Nissanka / Charith Asalanka

• Top Bowler (ZIM): Richard Ngarava / Blessing Muzarabani

• Top Bowler (SL): Binura Fernando / Matheesha Pathirana

• Most Sixes: Charith Asalanka (SL), Sikandar Raza (ZIM)

• Likely Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (SL)

• Predicted Scores:

  • Sri Lanka batting first: 170+

  • Zimbabwe batting first: 155+

• Toss Prediction: Sri Lanka to win toss and bat first.

Final Prediction

• Zimbabwe have home support but are struggling for form and balance.

• Sri Lanka have better squad depth, in-form batters, and variety in bowling.

• Prediction: Sri Lanka to win the 1st T20I and take early lead in the series.