The Tri-Nation T20I Series in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, witnessed a seismic shift on November 20, 2025, as Zimbabwe stormed to a commanding 67-run victory over Sri Lanka. The result not only marked Zimbabwe’s biggest T20 win against the island nation, but also shot them to the top of the tournament’s points table, leaving Sri Lanka scrambling for answers after a string of white-ball defeats on tour.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza and fast bowler Brad Evans emerged as the chief architects of this memorable win. Raza, leading from the front, compiled a brisk 47 off 32 balls, while Evans ripped through Sri Lanka’s batting with figures of 3 wickets for just 9 runs. The Zimbabwean bowling unit delivered a collective masterclass, with all six bowlers claiming at least one wicket, underscoring the team’s depth and discipline.
The day began with Sri Lanka, captained by Dasun Shanaka, winning the toss and opting to bowl first—a decision that would soon come under scrutiny. Zimbabwe’s openers, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, strode out with purpose. Bennett, in particular, looked in fine touch, cracking three boundaries in the second over and setting the tone for the innings. Marumani fell early for 10, but Bennett continued to anchor the innings, eventually falling tantalizingly short of a half-century with 49 off 42 balls.
Zimbabwe’s middle order wobbled briefly as Brendan Taylor and Tony Munyonga departed cheaply, but Raza’s arrival steadied the ship. He and Bennett combined for a crucial 61-run partnership, keeping the scoreboard ticking with sharp singles and well-timed boundaries. Ryan Burl chipped in with a quickfire 18 from 11 balls, providing late-innings impetus. The final five overs yielded 46 runs, thanks in part to Raza’s aggression and some loose Sri Lankan bowling. Zimbabwe closed their innings at a competitive 162 for 8—par for the course on a tricky Rawalpindi surface.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers had their moments. Eshan Malinga, making his mark in T20 internationals, picked up multiple wickets and disrupted Zimbabwe’s momentum in the middle overs. Wanindu Hasaranga also struck twice in two balls, removing Burl and Munyonga in the 16th over. But the islanders struggled to contain Zimbabwe’s lower order, with the final over leaking precious runs.
Chasing 163 for victory, Sri Lanka’s reply got off to a nightmare start. Pathum Nissanka, who had endured a torrid ODI series against Pakistan, fell for a golden duck in the very first over, caught at mid-wicket off Richard Ngarava. Kusal Perera followed soon after, top-edging a short delivery from Tinotenda Maposa to short fine leg. The rot continued as Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Kusal Mendis failed to build partnerships, with Rajapaksa run out for 6 and Mendis departing for 6 as well. By the end of the seventh over, Sri Lanka had slumped to 28 for 3, and Zimbabwe’s fielders could sense blood in the water.
Captain Dasun Shanaka attempted to rally his troops, showing resilience with a gritty 34 off 25 balls. He even pulled off a spectacular diving catch at wide long-off to dismiss Raza, a moment that briefly lifted Sri Lankan spirits. But wickets tumbled at regular intervals, with Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dushmantha Chameera all falling cheaply. Zimbabwe’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, mixing sharp pace with cunning variations.
Brad Evans was the pick of the attack, his 3 for 9 including the key wicket of Eshan Malinga. Richard Ngarava and Tinotenda Maposa chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, while Sikandar Raza celebrated a personal milestone by claiming his 100th T20I wicket—removing Kamindu Mendis with a clever quicker delivery. Ryan Burl and Graeme Cremer also got among the wickets, ensuring there was no way back for Sri Lanka.
By the 20th over, Sri Lanka’s innings had fizzled out at 95 all out, bowled on the final ball. Only Shanaka and Rajapaksa managed to reach double figures, a testament to Zimbabwe’s bowling discipline and Sri Lanka’s ongoing batting woes. As the players shook hands, the Zimbabwean camp erupted in celebration, fully aware of the significance of this result.
After the match, Raza reflected on the team’s effort and his own approach. “You want to be there when the chips are down and be prepared to do the dirty work for the team,” Raza said. “If I’m trying, I feel my team is going to try.” His words captured the spirit that Zimbabwe displayed throughout the contest—a willingness to fight for every run and every wicket, regardless of the odds.
Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka, meanwhile, was candid in his assessment. “The intent was not there from the beginning,” he admitted. “We cannot accept this with the players and experience we’ve got.” Shanaka’s frustration was evident, as his team’s white-ball tour of Pakistan continued to unravel. Having lost the ODI series 3-0 to the hosts, Sri Lanka’s confidence appeared shaken, and the pressure is now firmly on them to bounce back in their upcoming fixture.
With this victory, Zimbabwe surged to the top of the tri-series points table, edging ahead of Pakistan thanks to a superior net run rate. The win also provided a much-needed morale boost after a hard-fought loss to Pakistan in the series opener. For Sri Lanka, the road ahead looks challenging—they must regroup quickly, as their next match against Pakistan is scheduled for November 22, 2025. Another defeat could leave their hopes of reaching the final hanging by a thread.
Looking back at the match, several moments stand out: Bennett’s fluent strokeplay at the top, Raza’s all-round performance, Shanaka’s valiant but ultimately futile resistance, and Evans’ clinical bowling display. The fielding, too, was sharp—Zimbabwe’s run-out of Rajapaksa and Shanaka’s diving catch were highlights in a game where every moment counted.
The Tri-Nation T20I Series is still in its early stages, but Zimbabwe’s emphatic win over Sri Lanka has already set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested tournament. With Pakistan, the home side, also in the mix, fans can expect more drama, skill, and perhaps a few more upsets before the trophy is lifted.
As the teams look ahead to their next encounters, Zimbabwe will savor this historic victory, knowing that their blend of youth and experience has delivered when it mattered most. For Sri Lanka, the search for answers continues, and all eyes will be on their response when they face Pakistan in a must-win clash. The cricketing world waits with bated breath to see how the rest of the tri-series unfolds.
