Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I at Harare, ZIM vs SL, Sep 03 2025 - Match Result

So Sri Lanka start the T20Is with a win, as Zimbabwe once more fall short having got themselves into a winning position. Can they finally cross that hurdle? Well match number two is on Saturday. So be sure to join us for that. Till then, on behalf of Fidel and the rest of team, this is Madushka signing out!

Charith Asalanka: "I'm really happy about the performance and the results. Outstanding the way the boys played today. Little bit [of panic], yes, but credit to how Zimbabwe bowled and fielded. They were doing a great job in that period, but Kamindu played amazingly well. [Chameera?] To me he's the x-factor, he can bowl over 140ks and we missed him in the side over the last year."

Player of the match goes to Kamindu Mendis for his match-winning 41 off 16: "There were quick wickets in the middle so I thought trying to get five to six balls to get in and then finish the game. I had to hit boundaries, so I just kept calm and expressed myself. It was a good surface. Zimbabwe batted well as did we."

Sikandar Raza: I thought we were in the game for 19 overs, but it was one over that went for 20 odd that turned the game. These are the experiences the young boys need to have, but hopefully he nails his yorkers on another day. We knew the second innings could be tough to bat, but Kamindu played brilliantly. Unfortunately when we find ourselves in winning positions there's a panic, but I hope once we get some wins under the belt hopefully we'll start to close out more games going forward.

5.04pm Time then for the post match presentation...

Palinda: "Now that's a cameo " --- When the cameo steals the show.

Manu Gill: "This would be as heartbreaking for Zimbabweans as was the first ODI."

Quest: "Despite the result of this game, I don't see Zimbabwe not making into the T20 World Cup this time around. Missed them in the West Indies, and, with due respect to Uganda, Namibia, and all the other teams, Zimbabwe should definitely make it this time around."

Uwaisul Karnain: "Can't quite recall the last instance of when did a SL middle order batsman play a substantial innings like this. Perhaps Shanaka's onslaught against Australia?" --- Bhanuka in the Asia Cup also comes to mind, but Kamindu in this sort of form is a genuine asset.

4.55pm So true to how this series has been so far, the T20Is start with yet another rollercoaster game. One that was decided in the end by a blazing Kamindu Mendis 41 off 16. And Sri Lanka needed each and every one of those 41 runs, after they had collapsed from 96 for 1 to 125 for 5, and then 142 for 6. Pathum Nissanka (55 off 32) and Kusal Mendis (38 off 35) had given Sri Lanka the perfect start, scoring 96 in the first 10 overs, but a stunning middle order collapse courtesy some outstanding catching left them needing 34 off 18. But a 26-run 18th over turned the game decisively in Sri Lanka's favour, as Kamindu aided by debutant Hemantha saw their side home.

So we go into the final over. 3 needed off six, Muzarabani to bowl. Is there something special remaining in this game? If there is, Zimbabwe have to do it with an extra fielder in the ring as they have been penalised for a slow over rate. All five fielders in the ring on the offside!

Kamindu says to Hemantha in Sinhalese: "try and hit a four."

Thushara: "Kamindu is MOTM?" --- Only if they win.

Rod: "There goes the game in one over, just like that! Cricket can be a cruel game"

Talk about game changing overs, gotta feel for Maposa. Ngarava back to bowl his last, is there another twist?

Farhan: "Bad call from Raza. He should have bowled with Muzarbani and Ngarva to kill the game in two overs" --- Maposa has been very good today though.

Hemantha on strike now, and he can have a go with the long handle if needed

free hit...

Free hit incoming

Dushan Hemantha comes out on debut. But he's at the non-striker's end

Manoj: "@Akindu, same template every game. They need to play in the same rate after PP. having 10 wickets in hand and you cant keep knocking around. And mendis should've sent ahead of Perera or Asalanka. "