Sri Lanka Edges Past Zimbabwe in T20 Thriller: Kamindu Mendis Stars with Match-Winning Knock

Dramatic Victory in Series Opener

The first match of the three-T20I series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka kicked off in Harare, with both teams using this series as preparation for future tournaments, including the Asia Cup for Sri Lanka and the path to the 2026 T20 World Cup for both nations.

Match Highlights

In a thrilling encounter, Sri Lanka emerged victorious by four wickets, successfully chasing down Zimbabwe’s target of 176. The match was defined by Kamindu Mendis’s outstanding performance, who scored an unbeaten 41 off just 16 balls, rescuing his team from what appeared to be an imminent collapse.

Earlier in the match, Pathum Nissanka continued his excellent form, scoring his third half-century of the tour to set up the chase. Zimbabwe had posted a competitive total, largely thanks to Brian Bennett’s impressive 81 off 57 deliveries.

Turning Point

The match reached its climax when Sri Lanka needed 46 runs from the final four overs, having lost significant ground after slipping from 96 for no loss to 125 for 5. Kamindu Mendis turned the game around with a spectacular display of batting, smashing four sixes and a four, primarily targeting the leg side as Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled with their line. Sri Lanka ultimately sealed the victory with five balls remaining.

Looking Ahead

This victory gives Sri Lanka an early advantage in the series, though Zimbabwe will be disappointed to have let another strong position slip away. The teams will face off again in the second T20I on Saturday. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza acknowledged that while his team controlled the game for 19 overs, one costly over proved decisive. He emphasized that these experiences are valuable learning opportunities for the younger players, expressing hope that the team will improve at closing out matches in winning positions going forward.