SL vs ZIM 2025 1st T20I Match Result

Updated：Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 4 wickets.

Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling win against Zimbabwe, chasing down 176 with just five balls to spare, and it was Kamindu Mendis who stole the show. Coming in at No. 6 with the pressure sky-high, Kamindu smacked an unbeaten 41 off just 16 balls, including four sixes and a four, mostly flicked stylishly behind square. Things had looked dicey after Sri Lanka crashed from 96/0 to 125/5, but Kamindu’s late blitz, especially that insane 26-run over off Tinotenda Maposa, turned the game on its head.

Kamindu Mendis was at his fluent best in the first #ZIMvSL T20I 👏

📝 https://t.co/FqfFcJkfFV

📸 @OfficialSLC pic.twitter.com/nrpP7pRxLR

— ICC (@ICC) September 4, 2025

Earlier, Pathum Nissanka gave Sri Lanka a flying start with a quickfire 55, setting the stage for the chase. For Zimbabwe, Brian Bennett was the standout, hammering 81 from 57 to anchor their innings, but their bowlers, aside from Richard Ngarava, couldn’t keep it tight at the death. Dushmantha Chameera also made a big impact for Sri Lanka, grabbing 3 wickets with some deadly balls. In the end, it was a wild ride, and Sri Lanka came out on top.

A clinical all-round performance helps Sri Lanka go 1-0 up in the T20I series against Zimbabwe 👊

📸: @OfficialSLC #ZIMvSL 📝: https://t.co/FqfFcJjHQn pic.twitter.com/LnD5OXXoLi

— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2025

SL vs ZIM 2025 1st T20I – Match Details

SL vs ZIM 2025 1st T20I – Possible Squad List

Note：The match has not started yet, but updates will be provided regularly once it begins.

You can also click here to view the full T20I schedules

SL vs ZIM 2025 1st T20I – First ever clash at Harare Sports Club

Sri Lanka, a team known for their spin-heavy and slightly slower brand of cricket, will lock horns with Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on September 3. This will also be Sri Lanka’s first outing at this venue. With spinners playing a key role in their setup, the question is whether Zimbabwe can make home advantage count.

SL vs ZIM – Can Sri Lanka adapt quickly to HSC?

It might take a little time for Sri Lanka to settle into HSC conditions, but their style naturally suits the surface. Sri Lanka usually rely on spinners in the middle overs to choke the scoring rate, while their middle-order batters lift the run rate later. This matches perfectly with the character of HSC, where the track plays on the slower side. Apart from Zimbabwe’s own reliance on spin, the altitude of nearly 1500 metres and the dry soil with poor water retention make the pitch crack and aid turn. In such conditions, Sri Lanka look well placed to put Zimbabwe under serious pressure.

SL vs ZIM – Similar bowling styles but different approach

The wicket at HSC has been kept slow to suit Zimbabwe, yet both sides share one similarity — dependence on spin bowlers. The difference is in how they use them. Sri Lanka build their entire strategy around spin, while Zimbabwe stick to a more traditional template of quick starts and middle-order support. The problem is that Zimbabwe often end up caught in between styles. Their pacers fail to control the opening overs, and by the time spinners come in the damage is done. Batting too has been inconsistent, with key players not stepping up when needed.

SL vs ZIM – Conclusion

Looking at the balance of play, Sri Lanka should be favourites to take the series 2-1. On a surface that suits both sides, it eventually comes down to overall quality, and Sri Lanka are ahead in that regard. Even a 3-0 result in Sri Lanka’s favour would not be a surprise, considering Zimbabwe’s recent struggles. For Zimbabwe, managing even one win in this contest would be seen as a positive outcome.

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Results of the last five encounters

SL vs ZIM 2025 1st T20I – Venue History&Analysis: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Stadium Capacity: Around 10,000 spectators

Stadium Address: Harare Sports Club, Fifth Street Extension, Harare, Zimbabwe

About the Stadium:

Harare Sports Club was established way back in 1900, but its first T20 International came only in June 2010 when Zimbabwe faced India. That game turned out to be a tough outing for the hosts, as India won by six wickets. Zimbabwe managed just 111 runs, mainly because their lower order collapsed badly. From the sixth batsman onwards, six players together made only 15 runs. The top five had done decently by adding 90, but the momentum was lost once the lower order came in. India chased the target with ease, their sixth batsman completing the job. Interestingly, the top scorer was still Zimbabwe’s Chamu Chibhabha, who struck 40 off 30, though it was not enough to save his team.

If we talk about the nature of the ground, HSC is not the most ideal venue for T20I cricket. The soil here is a bit soft and sticky, and due to local climate conditions the curators usually keep the grass a little thick. That makes the surface friendly for spinners but not too helpful for stroke-making. T20 cricket is known for its fast pace, but HSC slows the game down, which often affects the entertainment factor for the fans. Low-scoring or grinding matches are quite common here, and this is exactly why both T20Is and ODIs at this venue usually do not produce very high totals.

All Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe Match:

• SL vs ZIM 2025 1st ODI – Can Sri Lanka Keep Their Winning Streak Alive?
• SL vs ZIM 2025 2nd ODI – Can Zimbabwe Turn Close Numbers into a Winning Chance?
• SL vs ZIM 2025 2nd T20I – Are both teams facing trouble with their spin attack?
• SL vs ZIM 2025 3rd T20I – Spin bowling numbers tell the story