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Table of Contents
The Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe cricket rivalry has produced several memorable contests across Test, One Day International (ODI), and T20 International cricket. While Sri Lanka have historically dominated the head-to-head record, Zimbabwe have often challenged them with determined performances, particularly in limited-overs cricket. Their meetings have featured outstanding batting displays, match-winning bowling spells, and dramatic finishes. One of the most recent and memorable encounters came during the 2025 ODI series opener in Harare, where Sri Lanka held their nerve to secure a narrow victory. This article provides the complete Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, along with match highlights, key moments, records, and detailed analysis.
Match Summary
| Match | 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Series | Sri Lanka Tour of Zimbabwe 2025 |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| Date | August 31, 2025 |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 7 runs |
| Player of the Match | Janith Liyanage |
Full Match Scorecard
First Innings Scorecard – Sri Lanka
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 76 | 92 | 12 | 0 |
| Nishan Madushka | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Kusal Mendis | 38 | 63 | 3 | 0 |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | 35 | 40 | 5 | 0 |
| Charith Asalanka | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Janith Liyanage | 70* | 47 | 6 | 3 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 57 | 36 | 4 | 2 |
| Extras | 16 | — | — | — |
| Total | 298/6 | 50 Overs |
Sri Lanka recovered brilliantly after losing wickets in the middle overs. Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis added quick runs in the final ten overs to push the total close to 300, giving their bowlers a competitive target to defend.
Bowling Figures – Zimbabwe
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Ngarava | 10 | 53 | 2 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 10 | 57 | 1 |
| Trevor Gwandu | 9 | 58 | 1 |
| Sikandar Raza | 10 | 45 | 1 |
| Sean Williams | 10 | 46 | 1 |
Zimbabwe’s bowlers kept Sri Lanka under pressure for most of the innings, but they struggled to contain the aggressive finish from Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis.
Second Innings Scorecard – Zimbabwe
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top-order contributions | Steady starts | — | — | — |
| Craig Ervine | Valuable innings | — | — | — |
| Middle Order | Important partnerships | — | — | — |
| Lower Order | Late fightback | — | — | — |
| Extras | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 291/8 | 50 Overs |
Zimbabwe remained in the chase throughout the innings and required only a few boundaries during the final overs. However, disciplined bowling from Sri Lanka ensured they finished seven runs short of the target.
Fall of Wickets
| Team | Fall of Wickets |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Early wicket followed by steady middle-order partnerships before a strong finish |
| Zimbabwe | Regular wickets prevented the chase from gaining full momentum |
The timing of wickets proved decisive, as Sri Lanka consistently broke important partnerships.
Match Result
Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe by 7 runs in a closely fought contest.
The victory gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the ODI series and highlighted their ability to defend a competitive total under pressure.
Player of the Match
Janith Liyanage (Sri Lanka)
Janith Liyanage played one of the finest innings of his ODI career, scoring an unbeaten 70 runs from 47 balls. His aggressive finish transformed Sri Lanka’s innings and proved to be the difference between the two teams.
His knock featured:
- Excellent strike rotation.
- Powerful boundary hitting.
- Calm batting under pressure.
- A match-winning partnership with Kamindu Mendis.
Key Moments
Pathum Nissanka’s Solid Start
Nissanka anchored the innings with a well-crafted 76, providing Sri Lanka with a stable foundation.
Late-Order Acceleration
Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis scored quickly during the death overs, adding valuable runs.
Zimbabwe’s Fighting Chase
Zimbabwe never allowed the required run rate to get out of control and remained in contention until the final over.
Sri Lanka’s Death Bowling
The bowlers executed their plans effectively in the closing stages, defending the target by just seven runs.
Match Highlights
- Pathum Nissanka scored 76 at the top of the order.
- Janith Liyanage remained unbeaten on 70 from only 47 deliveries.
- Kamindu Mendis contributed a quick 57.
- Sri Lanka posted 298/6 in 50 overs.
- Zimbabwe responded with an impressive 291/8.
- Sri Lanka secured victory by just 7 runs.
Records Broken During the Match
Highest Individual Score
Pathum Nissanka’s 76 was the highest score of the match.
Finishing Partnership
The partnership between Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis changed the course of Sri Lanka’s innings.
Competitive ODI Finish
The seven-run margin made it one of the closest ODI contests between the two teams in recent years.
Head-to-Head Record
Sri Lanka continue to enjoy a strong overall record against Zimbabwe across all international formats.
| Format | Overall Trend |
|---|---|
| Test Cricket | Sri Lanka dominate |
| ODI Cricket | Sri Lanka hold a clear advantage |
| T20 International | Sri Lanka lead, although Zimbabwe have recorded notable victories |
Zimbabwe have shown steady improvement in recent years, making the rivalry increasingly competitive.
Recent Meetings
Recent matches between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe have included:
- Sri Lanka winning the opening ODI of the 2025 series by 7 runs.
- Competitive ODI contests in Harare.
- Closely fought T20 Internationals.
- Zimbabwe continuing to challenge Sri Lanka despite the historical head-to-head gap.
Major Records
Team Records
- Sri Lanka have won the majority of bilateral series between the two nations.
- Zimbabwe have produced several memorable victories in limited-overs cricket.
- Both teams have played competitive matches in ICC tournaments and bilateral series.
Individual Records
Players from both sides have achieved:
- Match-winning centuries.
- Five-wicket bowling performances.
- Outstanding all-round displays.
- Important captaincy milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the latest ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe?
Sri Lanka won the first ODI of the 2025 series by 7 runs.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Janith Liyanage received the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 70.
What score did Sri Lanka make?
Sri Lanka scored 298/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
How many runs did Zimbabwe score?
Zimbabwe finished on 291/8, falling just seven runs short of victory.
Who was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka?
Pathum Nissanka top-scored with 76 runs, while Janith Liyanage’s unbeaten 70 proved decisive.
Final Thoughts
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the first ODI of the 2025 series showcased an entertaining contest between two competitive sides. Sri Lanka’s strong batting performance, led by Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage, and Kamindu Mendis, helped them post an imposing total. Zimbabwe responded with determination but fell just seven runs short despite a spirited chase. The match once again highlighted why encounters between these teams continue to produce exciting and closely contested cricket.
