Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2025 Harare kicked in thrilling fashion at the Sports Club, where the Zimbabwe captain opted to bowl first after winning the toss in the first ODI. The decision understood, given the morning position, which promised a signal of swing and seam movement. Sri Lanka, claiming a deep batting order, was tasked to set up a competitive score when looking like a slightly slow surface.
Zimbabwe’s new ball shine
The bowlers who blessed the bowlers immediately put Mujarabani and Richard Narwav on the defensive. Their investigation length and disciplined line prohibited scoring opportunities and created initial pressure. The pressure was paid when Nagrawa dismissed the opener Nishan Madushka for a 13 -ball duck, a success that left Sri Lanka in a cautious position.
Pitham NisankaHowever, the test stood long between the mantra. With patience playing fluent stroke, he anchored the innings and scored an important 100-run stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis. Nisanka’s elegant 76, with 12 borders, from 92 delivery, Sri Lanka stability when they were most needed.
Patham Nisanka departs after scoring 76 🏏#Cricket #Pathumnissanka #Zimvsl #Srilankacrick pic.twitter.com/f8uez0k2oq
– CRICKETIMES.COM (@crickettimeshq) August 29, 2025
Middle order conflict for Sri Lanka
As soon as the innings entered the mid -over, Zimbabwe’s spinners tightened their grip. Veterans Sikander Raza and Sean Williams bowled with accuracy and variation, ensuring that Sri Lanka never went away. Kusal Mendis, after playing the attentive hand of 38, fell as soon as he looked. Shortly thereafter, visitors suffered a mini-kallops: Sadera Samaravikrama (35) and captain Charith Asananka (6) left Sri Lanka at 161/5 in the 31st over, departing in quick succession.
At that point, Zimbabwe has confiscated full control, increasing the expectations of restricting Sri Lanka in a minor clan.
Janith Linaz and Kamindu Mendis sparked a stunning revival
Just when Zimbabwe felt the dominance, Jenith Linaz and Kamindu Mendis flipped the script. With fearless intentions, both launched a blistering counter-halon, with 137 runs in only 83 delivery. His clean hitting, sharp running, and tireless aggression shifted the speed back in favor of Sri Lanka.
Linaz was particularly devastating, scoring 70 runs off 47 balls and included six borders and three huge sixes. Kamindu matched his partner’s energy with only 36 delivery out of 57, decorated with four fours and two sixes. His partnership not only revived Sri Lanka, but also put him in a commanding position in the final overs.
Despite his bright start, Zimbabwe “bowled” in the over of death. Richard Nagarawa was a standout artist who returned 2/34 in 7.4 overs, including Kamindu Mendis’s wicket on the last ball. Ashirwad Mujarabani claimed one wicket, but was taken for 65 in his full quota, while Trevor Gwandu also picked up a skull, but considered heavy.
Also read: Why is Craig Erwin not playing today’s match – Zim vs SL, 1 ODI not playing
Among the spinners, Sean Williams was the most economical with 1/26 out of 6 overs, while Alexander Raza pasted 1/48. Brad Evans remained wicketless despite bowling all 10 overs, ending with 0/57. Fielding Laps added to Zimbabwe’s crises, as Missfields and Drops allowed Sri Lanka to extend 290-Nishan.
From 161/5 to 298/6, Sri Lanka’s innings told the story of flexibility and counter-punching talent. Zimbabwe bowlers dominated quickly, but Linaz and Kamindu Mendis ensured that visitors ended at a high, Set a hard goal of 299,
299 is the target to win 1 OD for Zimbabwe#Cricket #Zimvsl #Srilankacrick pic.twitter.com/ns0sb5t0ko
– CRICKETIMES.COM (@crickettimeshq) August 29, 2025
