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Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe (2025)

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Zimbabwe to host Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced Sri Lanka will visit Zimbabwe later this year for an eagerly anticipated white-ball series to be held in Harare.

The tour itinerary features two One-Day Internationals scheduled for 29 and 31 August, followed by three Twenty20 Internationals on 3, 6 and 7 September.

All five matches will be played at Harare Sports Club.

“We are delighted to confirm Sri Lanka’s visit to Zimbabwe for what we expect to be a thrilling and competitive series,” ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni said.

“Matches between our two nations have always produced entertaining cricket and this tour comes at a crucial time for our team as we prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifying campaign.”

The T20I leg of the series holds particular importance for Zimbabwe, serving as vital preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, which the country will host from 19 September to 4 October.

This regional tournament will determine the last two African qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

SRI LANKA IN ZIMBABWE MATCH SCHEDULE:
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Sri Lanka ODI Squad for Zimbabwe Tour

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Panel has named the following squad for the ODI series against Zimbabwe.

The team will depart for Zimbabwe tomorrow, 22nd August.

ODI Squad

1) Charith Asalanka - Captain
2) Pathum Nissanka
3) Nishan Madushka
4) Kusal Mendis
5) Sadeera Samarawickrama
6) Nuwanidu Fernando
7) Kamindu Mendis
8) Janith Liyanage
9) Pavan Rathnayake
10) Dunith Wellalage
11) Milan Rathnayake
12) Maheesh Theekshana
13)Jeffrey Vandersay
14) Asitha Fernando
15) Dushmantha Chameera
16) Dilshan Madushanka
 
Zimbabwe name squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka

Zimbabwe have announced a 16-man squad for the two-match one-day international (ODI) series against Sri Lanka, with veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor making a highly anticipated return to the national side.

The matches are scheduled for 29 and 31 August at Harare Sports Club, marking Taylor’s first ODI appearance since facing Ireland in September 2021.

Captained by Craig Ervine, the squad blends experienced campaigners with emerging talent as Zimbabwe transitions from the red-ball format – having played seven Tests since their last ODI in February – into the fast-paced demands of limited-overs cricket.

Middle-order mainstays Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza are expected to provide stability, while the pace attack receives a boost from a fit-again Richard Ngarava alongside Blessing Muzarabani.



The squad also includes four players who did not feature in Zimbabwe’s last ODI series against Ireland in February: Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans and uncapped seamer Ernest Masuku.

“We are delighted to welcome Brendan back into the fold,” Zimbabwe Convener of Selectors David Mutendera said.

“His experience and quality are invaluable, especially in pressure situations, and his presence will no doubt lift the dressing room.

“This squad has been selected to give us the best chance against a strong Sri Lankan side.

“We have combined proven match-winners with players who are hungry to make their mark, and that mix of experience and energy will be crucial as we transition from red-ball cricket to the fast pace of ODIs.”

Head Coach Justin Sammons added: “We’ve just come off a tough red-ball series and now it’s about adjusting to the tempo and intensity of one-day cricket.

“Sri Lanka are a strong white-ball side and will punish any lapses, so we need to be sharp from ball one.

“Clarity in roles will be key – each player must understand exactly what’s required. Get that right, and I believe we can compete strongly against a very disciplined Sri Lankan outfit.”

Captain Craig Ervine said: “Switching from red-ball to white-ball cricket is always a test, especially against a team of Sri Lanka’s calibre.

“We need to stay flexible, back our plans and make the most of our home conditions to compete strongly in both matches.”

ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR ODI SERIES VS 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.

 
Getting ready for the first ODI match between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka this Friday at Harare Sports Club
 

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI​


Zimbabwe have won the toss and have opted to field


 
Zimbabwe skipper ruled out of Sri Lanka series

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine will not take part in the ongoing ODI series after sustaining a calf injury

Zimbabwe have suffered a major setback as skipper Craig Ervine was ruled out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka on the eve of the opening match at Harare Sports Club, due to a calf injury.

A MRI scan on Thursday confirmed that the 40-year-old sustained a Grade II strain in his left calf, along with a chronic and resolving Grade I strain in his right calf, ruling him out of entire series.

In Ervine’s absence, veteran all-rounder Sean Williams will captain Zimbabwe in the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

The contest marks Zimbabwe’s return to ODI cricket following their recent home assignments, where they hosted South Africa and New Zealand for two Test matches each, along with a T20I tri-series.

This is also the comeback series for experienced batter Brendon Taylor, who returns to international cricket after nearly four years, having last represented Zimbabwe in September 2021 against Ireland.

The first ODI is scheduled today (August 29), followed by the second ODI on August 31. The two sides will then shift focus to a three-match T20I series.

ICC
 
1st ODI today.

SL - 298/6 (50 overs)
ZIM - 288/5 (48.4 overs).

Zimbabwe need 11 to win from 8 balls. Can they win it?
 
3 wickets in 3 balls.

Madushanka gets a hat-trick!

ZIM - 289/8.

10 to win from 3 balls.
 
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI

Sri Lanka bowling first after winning the toss... Zimbabwe 96/1 atm in 19
 
Sri Lanka fined for slow over-rate in Harare ODI

The island nation were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first ODI against Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka were penalised five per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first ODI in Harare.

The sanction was imposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees after the touring side were found to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

There was no need for a formal hearing as skipper Charith Asalanka pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.

The game was a high-scoring thriller, where Dilshan Madushanka's hat-trick in the final over helped the Asian side win by seven runs.

 
Looks like ZIM can still compete in ODIs. It's Test cricket where they are getting wiped out without so much as a whimper.
 

Zimbabwe announce squad for T20I series against Sri Lanka​


Zimbabwe Cricket has named a 16-man squad for the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Sri Lanka, starting this Wednesday at Harare Sports Club.

The other two fixtures are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the same venue, with all matches starting at 1.30 pm local time.

Zimbabwe will be buoyed by the return of veteran all-rounder Sean Williams, who last featured in the format against Bangladesh on 12 May 2024.

Also making a comeback is experienced wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor, recalled to the T20I side after a lengthy absence from the shortest version of the game.

Brad Evans and Tadiwanashe Marumani are the other inclusions, while Newman Nyamhuri, Wessly Madhevere, Vincent Masekesa and Tafadzwa Tsiga miss out from the squad that contested last month’s triangular series against New Zealand and South Africa.

The series presents another key step in Zimbabwe’s preparations to establish a consistent core ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, set to be staged in Harare later this month.

ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR T20I SERIES VERSUS SRI LANKA

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

 
Kamindu Mendis played a crucial role in Sri Lanka's win against Zimbabwe in the first T20I match held in Harare. Mendis scored an unbeaten 41 runs off just 16 balls, including a blistering 26 runs off one over, which turned the game in Sri Lanka's favor. Despite Sri Lanka losing quick wickets in the middle overs, Mendis's hard-hitting at the end helped them chase down a target of 176 with five balls to spare, securing a 4-wicket victory. The match was a thriller, with Sri Lanka taking a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.

Key highlights:

Sri Lanka's openers gave a strong start, but Zimbabwe fought back in the middle overs.

Kamindu Mendis was dropped early on but capitalized with an explosive innings.

Zimbabwe had set a target of 176 runs, with Brian Bennett scoring 81.

Sri Lankan bowler Dushmantha Chameera took 3 wickets for 30 runs.

The victory was sealed thanks to Mendis's late blitz against the Zimbabwe bowling attack.

Kamindu Mendis was named the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.

The second T20I is scheduled for September 6, 2025, where Sri Lanka aims to seal the series .
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