There will be competition with Pakistan zimbabwe In the second match of the T20I tri-series. This article provides details about the playing 11 of Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe for the second match of the series.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Zimbabwe-Pakistan T20I Tri Series 2025, Match 2:
Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK)
Sri Lanka have made some last-minute changes to the squad for the ongoing T20I tri-series, the most prominent of which is the exclusion of then-captain Charith Asalanka, who had to return home due to illness.
Along with Asalanka, fast bowler Asitha Fernando will also not be a part of the team, which means that the responsibility of Sri Lanka’s fast bowling department will be on Dushmantha Chameera.
Former captain Dasun Shanka is back to lead the team in Aslanka’s absence and will look to manage its resources well.
Amidst the many changes in Sri Lanka, most of which are in the bowling department, the onus will be on the batsmen to perform well and put up a better score on the board while batting first.
Former T20 World Cup winner Pathum Nissanka will open the innings along with former captain Kusal Mendis.
Pathum, who has been in good form over the last few years and has become a mainstay of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, will be entrusted with the responsibility of giving the team a good start along with Mendis.
Both the batsmen will also be expected to score runs individually to gain confidence for the upcoming matches.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Zenith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (captain)
A lot will depend on how Sri Lanka’s middle-order performs, because if players like Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara and Bhanuka Rajapaksa are able to step up, the bowling team will have their work cut out for them.
Given the inexperience of the team’s bowling attack, Lanka will have to score at least 170-180 runs to stay ahead in the game.
The team has all the resources to do so with the presence of big hitters like Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Zenith Liyanage and Dasun Shanaka, who can play the big shots at the end of the innings.
Having said that, the top five batsmen will have to execute their plan of hitting boundaries in the last five overs to set a platform for players like Shanaka and Liyanage.
Bowlers: Mahesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
When it comes to Lanka’s bowling attack, they lack a bit of experience, with Asitha Fernando and Wanindu Hasaranga not part of the squad.
This means that most of the work while bowling will have to be done by Mahesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera.
If Sri Lanka decide to bat heavily in the upcoming match against Zimbabwe, both the bowlers will get assistance from Nuwan Thushara while Dasun Shanaka will also have to bowl his full quota of overs.
If Lanka want to keep the opposition batsmen under control, they will have to make a full effort with the ball, in which players like Kamindu Menfis and Janieh Liyanage will also contribute.
