Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe Match Scorecard

Sri Lanka faced off against Zimbabwe in the opening ODI of their series at Harare Sports Club, delivering a match packed with drama and high-stakes cricket. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 298 for 6, thanks to solid contributions from the top order and an explosive late partnership. Zimbabwe mounted a valiant chase but ultimately fell agonizingly short by 7 runs, undone by Dilshan Madushanka’s sensational hat-trick in the final over. Sikandar Raza’s heroic 92 nearly steered his side to victory, but the pitch, which eased up as the day progressed, couldn’t quite tip the scales in their favor.

The game featured massive partnerships and clutch performances, making it a memorable start to Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe. Fans were treated to a nail-biting finish that showcased the best of ODI cricket.

Sri Lanka’s Strong Batting Start

Cricbuzz highlighted Nissanka’s patient approach as he faced a barrage of deliveries to set the tone for a big total. Sadeera Samarawickrama chipped in with 35, while captain Charith Asalanka managed just 6, exposing some vulnerabilities in the middle order.

Despite this, the early platform proved crucial, as BBC Sports noted, in building pressure for the later overs. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Richard Ngarava’s 2 for 34, kept things tight, but Sri Lanka aimed high, transitioning smoothly to their lower order.

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe Match Scorecard, 1st ODI at Harare, ZIM vs SL, Aug 29 2025 – Full Scorecard

Match Analysis

Sri Lanka elected to bat first on a Harare pitch that offered early assistance to bowlers but flattened out later. Opener Pathum Nissanka anchored the innings with a composed 76 off 92 balls, including 12 fours, providing a steady foundation.

His partner, Nishan Madushka, fell for a duck early on, but Kusal Mendis contributed a brisk 38 to help build a partnership. By the time the second wicket fell, Sri Lanka had reached 109 for 2, with the powerplay yielding a modest 29 runs. A drinks break arrived at the 50-run mark, allowing the batters to regroup.

Sri Lanka Innings

• Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 – 10.0 (Mandatory – 29 runs, 1 wicket)
• Clive Madande kept wickets in place of Brendan Taylor from 1.4 overs of the Sri Lanka innings
• Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 – 40.0 (Mandatory – 156 runs, 4 wickets)
• Sri Lanka: 50 runs in 14.6 overs (90 balls), Extras 5
• Drinks: Sri Lanka – 50/1 in 15.0 overs (P Nissanka 27, BKG Mendis 18)
• 2nd Wicket: 50 runs in 66 balls (P Nissanka 26, BKG Mendis 21, Ex 4)
• P Nissanka: 50 off 65 balls (8 x 4)
• Sri Lanka: 100 runs in 24.3 overs (147 balls), Extras 5
• 2nd Wicket: 100 runs in 125 balls (P Nissanka 58, BKG Mendis 38, Ex 4)
• Drinks: Sri Lanka – 139/3 in 32.4 overs (S Samarawickrama 19)
• Sri Lanka: 150 runs in 34.4 overs (208 balls), Extras 6
• Powerplay 3: Overs 40.1 – 50.0 (Mandatory – 113 runs, 1 wicket)
• Sri Lanka: 200 runs in 42.1 overs (253 balls), Extras 13
• 6th Wicket: 50 runs in 44 balls (J Liyanage 22, PHKD Mendis 19, Ex 9)
• Sri Lanka: 250 runs in 46.1 overs (277 balls), Extras 15
• 6th Wicket: 100 runs in 66 balls (J Liyanage 48, PHKD Mendis 43, Ex 9)
• PHKD Mendis: 50 off 30 balls (4 x 4, 2 x 6)
• J Liyanage: 50 off 39 balls (4 x 4, 2 x 6)
• Innings Break: Sri Lanka – 298/6 in 50.0 overs (J Liyanage 70)

Zimbabwe Innings

• Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 – 10.0 (Mandatory – 36 runs, 2 wickets)
• Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 – 40.0 (Mandatory – 182 runs, 3 wickets)
• Zimbabwe: 50 runs in 11.5 overs (71 balls), Extras 3
• 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 67 balls (BJ Curran 32, SC Williams 16, Ex 3)
• Drinks: Zimbabwe – 71/2 in 15.0 overs (BJ Curran 39, SC Williams 29)
• Zimbabwe: 100 runs in 19.5 overs (119 balls), Extras 4
• 3rd Wicket: 100 runs in 115 balls (BJ Curran 49, SC Williams 47, Ex 4)
• BJ Curran: 50 off 68 balls (5 x 4)
• SC Williams: 50 off 51 balls (6 x 4, 2 x 6)
• Zimbabwe: 150 runs in 28.2 overs (170 balls), Extras 7
• Drinks: Zimbabwe – 161/5 in 30.0 overs (Sikandar Raza 19)
• Zimbabwe: 200 runs in 37.4 overs (226 balls), Extras 10
• 6th Wicket: 50 runs in 57 balls (Sikandar Raza 23, T Munyonga 22, Ex 5)
• Powerplay 3: Overs 40.1 – 50.0 (Mandatory – 73 runs, 3 wickets)
• Sikandar Raza: 50 off 57 balls (3 x 4)
• Zimbabwe: 250 runs in 43.5 overs (263 balls), Extras 20
• 6th Wicket: 100 runs in 93 balls (Sikandar Raza 52, T Munyonga 35, Ex 13)
• Slow over-rate Penalty: Overs 48.1 – 50.0 (extra fielder inside the circle)
• Dilshan Madushanka took a hat-trick with the wickets of 6-289 (Sikandar Raza, 49.1 ov), 7-289 (Brad Evans, 49.2 ov), 8-289 (Richard Ngarava, 49.3 ov)

Zimbabwe’s Early Bowling Success

Zimbabwe’s bowlers made an immediate impact, restricting Sri Lanka’s scoring rate and claiming key wickets. Richard Ngarava struck first, dismissing Nishan Madushka with a sharp delivery, while Blessing Muzarabani accounted for Nissanka after conceding 65 runs in his 10 overs. Trevor Gwandu leaked 61 runs without reward, and Sean Williams snared Kusal Mendis. Sikandar Raza added to the pressure by trapping Sadeera Samarawickrama lbw, and Brad Evans bowled tidily but went wicketless.

Wikipedia details how Zimbabwe cleverly mixed pace and spin to maintain control, holding Sri Lanka to under 6 runs per over. The powerplay was particularly stingy, with only 29 runs conceded. Sharp fielding, including well-taken catches, amplified the pressure on the batters. Aajtak Sports praised the early breakthroughs, noting how the bowlers exploited bounce and varied their lengths to make scoring difficult. This phase allowed Zimbabwe to dictate terms, though they struggled to contain the runs in the death overs.

Liyanage and Kamindu’s Big Partnership

With Sri Lanka reeling at 161 for 5, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis turned the innings around with a blistering 137-run partnership off just 83 balls. Liyanage remained unbeaten on 70 from 47 balls, smashing 6 fours and 3 sixes, while Kamindu blazed 57 off 36 deliveries, including 4 fours and 2 sixes. Their aggressive running and boundary-hitting, particularly square of the wicket, propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable total.

ESPN Cricinfo described this stand as a game-changer, capitalizing on an aging ball and a tiring attack. The spinners were rushed, and loose deliveries were punished ruthlessly—Trevor Gwandu, for instance, conceded 23 runs in a single over. Kamindu fell bowled to Ngarava on the last ball of the innings, but not before the duo had added 113 runs in the final 10 overs during Powerplay 3. Cricbuzz emphasized how this lower-order revival transformed a middling score into a challenging 298, with Liyanage favoring offside shots and the pair excelling in quick singles.

Zimbabwe’s Tough Chase Begins

Chasing 299, Zimbabwe stumbled early, losing Brian Bennett and Brendan Taylor for ducks in quick succession to Asitha Fernando. The scoreboard read a dismal 0 for 2, putting immense pressure on the middle order. Ben Curran and Sean Williams then steadied the innings with a 118-run stand, Curran scoring 70 off 90 balls and Williams contributing 57 off 54, featuring 7 fours and 2 sixes. A drinks break came at 71 for 2, with the powerplay yielding 36 runs.

BBC Sports reported the challenging conditions against Sri Lanka’s seam attack, where Asitha Fernando claimed 3 for 50 and Dilshan Madushanka, despite leaking 62 runs, ended with 4 wickets. Dushmantha Chameera went wicketless. The early losses were a setback, but the partnership injected hope, as Zimbabwe battled through tough bowling to keep the chase alive.

Williams and Curran’s Key Stand

The 118-run third-wicket partnership between Sean Williams and Ben Curran was pivotal in reviving Zimbabwe’s fortunes. Curran notched 70 with 8 fours, while Williams’ aggressive 57 included boundaries galore, maintaining a healthy scoring rate. They reached their century stand, pushing Zimbabwe to 100 in 19.5 overs, with extras contributing 4 runs.

Wikipedia underscores how this alliance punished loose deliveries, frustrating Sri Lanka’s spinners. The wickets fell at 118 (Williams to Kamindu Mendis) and 140 (Curran to Asitha Fernando), leaving Zimbabwe at 140 for 4. Aajtak Sports called it a crucial phase that kept the run rate competitive and laid a platform for the lower order, blending steady accumulation with timely aggression.

Raza’s Brilliant Revival Innings

Entering at a precarious juncture, Sikandar Raza played a captain’s knock of 92 off 87 balls, laced with 8 fours. He forged a match-defining 128-run sixth-wicket partnership with Tony Munyonga, who remained not out on 43. Raza masterfully manipulated the field, milking spinners for singles and unleashing big shots against seamers.

ESPN Cricinfo highlighted Raza’s leadership in the death overs, reducing the required 138 off 120 balls methodically. Munyonga benefited from a drop at 35, allowing the stand to flourish as they cruised past 250. Raza reached his fifty in 57 balls, with fluid singles and twos. Cricbuzz noted how Sri Lanka’s over-rate penalty—requiring an extra fielder inside the circle—further aided Zimbabwe, making Raza’s innings a brilliant revival that nearly stole the game.

Pitch Conditions Favored Late Batting

The Harare pitch evolved throughout the match, offering early bounce to bowlers before flattening out. This shift benefited late-order batters, as seen in Sri Lanka’s rapid scoring and Zimbabwe’s resilient chase. BBC Sports suggested dew and a softening ball played roles, potentially favoring the second innings in this afternoon start.

While Zimbabwe capitalized, Sri Lanka’s bowlers adapted in the clutch moments. The conditions logically explain the big partnerships in both innings, turning what could have been a one-sided affair into a thriller.

Fielding Errors Cost Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s fielding lapses, including dropped catches like Munyonga’s at 35, extended Zimbabwe’s chase and made the finish closer than necessary. Slow over rates led to penalties, and missed run-out opportunities compounded the issues, like India Bangladesh timeline.

Wikipedia points out how these errors allowed key stands to grow, potentially gifting Raza extra lives. Aajtak Sports noted that better fielding might have secured a comfortable win, but captain Asalanka’s management and the bowlers’ resilience turned the tide despite the slips.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s decision to entrust Dilshan Madushanka with the final over, despite his earlier expense, proved inspired. With Chameera and Fernando bowled out, Madushanka defended 10 runs by delivering a hat-trick, targeting stumps with fuller lengths.

ESPN Cricinfo called the captain’s choice risky but rewarding, as Madushanka’s speed thwarted Zimbabwe’s scoops. Cricbuzz celebrated the historic hat-trick, earning him Player of the Match, and highlighted the squad trust that clinched the victory.

In a heart-pounding finish at Harare Sports Club, Sri Lanka edged Zimbabwe by 7 runs to take a 1-0 series lead. Dilshan Madushanka’s last-over hat-trick—dismissing Sikandar Raza, Brad Evans, and Richard Ngarava—sealed the deal after Zimbabwe reached 291 for 8. Raza’s valiant 92 and his 128-run stand with Munyonga brought them tantalizingly close, but early wickets and clutch bowling proved decisive.