Zimbabwe Bounces Back: Historic Victory Against Sri Lanka Levels T20I Series

A Dramatic Turnaround in Harare

In a remarkable display of bowling prowess, Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the second T20I, after bowling out the visitors for just 80 runs – Sri Lanka’s second-lowest T20I total ever. The victory came through the combined efforts of Sikandar Raza, Brad Evans, and Blessing Muzarabani, who shared eight wickets between them.

Sri Lanka never managed to stage even a mild recovery during their batting innings, with their highest partnership being just 26 runs. While Zimbabwe also struggled with the bat, they showed greater resilience and ultimately secured the win through Tashinga Musekiwa’s assured 21 not out off 12 balls in the 15th over.

Series Context and Significance

This match is part of Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe in August and September 2025, which includes two One Day International (ODI) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches, all being played at the Harare Sports Club. The T20I series holds particular importance for Zimbabwe as it serves as preparation for the 2025 Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final tournament.

Recent Form and Series Status

The victory marks a significant breakthrough for Zimbabwe, who had been experiencing a challenging period, having lost every international game they had played since March 2025. The team’s confidence had been visibly affected by this losing streak.

The series, being played at the Harare Sports Club, has been characterized by closely contested matches, with previous games going down to the final over, though predominantly ending in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Looking Ahead

As noted by Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza in earlier matches, the team has often found themselves in winning positions but struggled to close out games. This victory could mark a turning point, potentially helping the team secure more wins in the future as they build confidence in finishing games successfully.