SL WON
T20
SL beat ZIM by 8 wickets
Man of the Match - Kamil Mishara
ZIM
191-8
20.0/20 Ovrs
 
193-2
17.4/20 Ovrs
SL
Sri Lanka in Zimbabwe, 3 T20I Series, 2025 |3rd T20I |9/7/2025
Harare Sports Club, Harare
Commentary
  • It was a thrilling conclusion to the series here, with Sri Lanka taking the win 2-1. Now, it's time to shift focus to the exciting match between England and South Africa. England's massive total of 414 has already got the better of the Proteas' batting order with South Africa at 4 wickets down in just 6 overs. Let's head over to that match for some more action-packed cricket! Cheers.
  • Charith Asalanka proudly accepts the trophy after the post-match interview, passing it on to his teammates. They gather in front of the 'winners' board, beaming with joy as they snap pictures with the trophy in hand. The elation on the faces of the Sri Lankan players and coaching staff is unmistakable, embodying the triumph of their relentless effort and unwavering spirit. 
  • Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka praised his team's performance after chasing over 190 runs, calling it a remarkable comeback following their defeat the previous day. He noted that the pitch played well during the Powerplay. Asalanka emphasized the importance of minimizing boundaries and keeping the opposition under 200 runs. He was impressed with the performances of players like Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera. Asalanka highlighted that scoring at a rate of 10-11 runs per over wasn't easy and credited his team's character for bouncing back from defeat, a trait he believes defines the best teams.
  • Dushmantha Chameera expressed his happiness over winning the series and being named Player of the Series. He praised the collective effort of the bowlers, who performed well on flat pitches. Chameera credited his recent experience in the Bangladesh series, club cricket, and leagues for helping him regain form after a six-month layoff. He commended the fast bowlers in the team, including Matheesha, Binura, and Nuwan Thushara, for their experience and league exposure, which contributed to a strong bowling attack. Chameera also mentioned enjoying his time playing in Zimbabwe, where he had previously featured.
  • Kamil Mishara expressed his elation after being named Player of the Match, saying that winning the game for his country felt amazing. He revealed that he had felt some pressure before the game, but the team's management encouraged him to play his natural game. Mishara focused on finding his rhythm, which paid off, and he was pleased with his performance.
  • Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza praised his team's effort in posting a total of 191, stating that they would have been happy to defend that score. He acknowledged that Sri Lanka batted well, but felt that his bowling unit fell short, particularly in the chase. Raza expressed pride in his team's overall performance and highlighted the need to experiment with different combinations ahead of their tour to Namibia. Despite some setbacks, he emphasized that the high standard of cricket played by the team deserved credit.
  • Stay tuned for the presentation...
  • Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first, Zimbabwe had posted an impressive total, showcasing positivity right from the very first ball. Each batter approached the innings with a clear intent to dominate, with Tadiwanashe Marumani effectively anchoring the innings while the others relentlessly pressured the Lankan bowlers. Unfortunately for the Lankans, some clumsy fielding allowed for additional runs, providing Zimbabwe with an advantage, and they posted a total of 191 on the board, losing eight of their batters. Dushan Hemantha took 3 while Dushmantha Chameera took a couple.
  • After the quick succession of wickets, Sri Lanka managed to stabilize the innings with the steady presence of Kusal Perera and the aggressive play of the 25-year-old Kamil Mishara. Mishara showcased outstanding stroke play, racking up 73 not out in just 43 deliveries. Unfortunately for the bowling unit of Zimbabwe, they struggled to make an impact as the batters were well-set on the crease and in control of the game.
  • The opening pair set the perfect tone that any team dreams of in this format of cricket. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis combined brilliantly to score 58 runs off just 32 deliveries, creating a powerful momentum for the match. However, the two Chevron wizards, Sikandar Raza and Brad Evans, adeptly took out both openers in quick succession. Despite this pivotal moment, they were unable to capitalize on having two fresh batters at the crease, missing a crucial opportunity to seize control of the game. 
  • Sri Lanka have triumphed in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe by winning this game by 8 wickets and sealing the series 2-1! What a phenomenal display of batting by the Lankans! After a lackluster performance in the previous match, it was clear that the batting unit honed in on their weaknesses and came ready to conquer. The players approached the pitch with a bold strategy to attack the bowlers, and their efforts paid off spectacularly.
  • 17.4
    4
    Richard Ngarava to Kusal Perera, FOUR! On a length around middle and leg, Kusal Perera flicks this one bounce over the fence towards deep mid-wicket region. Sri Lanka have won this by 8 wickets.
  • 17.3
    1
    Richard Ngarava to Kamil Mishara, Inswinging yorker on middle and leg, Kamil Mishara pushes this down to long on for one.
  • 17.2
    1
    Richard Ngarava to Kusal Perera, Back of a length on the pads, Kusal Perera hops up on his toes and flicks this through square leg for one.
  • 17.1
    1
    Richard Ngarava to Kamil Mishara, Yorker on middle and leg, Kamil Mishara jams this out for one. 
  • END OF OVER 17 | 16 Runs & 0 Wkt | SL 186/2
  • 16.6
    2
    Blessing Muzarabani to Kusal Perera, Good length on the pads, Kusal Perera tucks this gently towards mid-wicket and takes two.
  • If Sri Lanka successfully chases down the target of 192 against Zimbabwe, it would become their second-highest successful chase in T20Is. Their highest successful chase is 194 against Bangladesh in 2018. A win would see them surpass their previous second-best chase of 184, achieved against Bangladesh in 2022.
  • 16.5
    1
    Blessing Muzarabani to Kamil Mishara, Good length around off, Kamil Mishara cuts this to sweeper cover for one.
  • 16.4
    2
    Blessing Muzarabani to Kamil Mishara, Good length on off, Kamil Mishara plays this softly and in the gap for a couple. 
  • 16.3
    4
    Blessing Muzarabani to Kamil Mishara, FOUR! SUBLIME! Pitched-up around off, Kamil Mishara punches this down the ground towards the long off region and finds the fence yet again.
  • 16.3
    2wd
    Blessing Muzarabani to Kusal Perera, TWO WIDES! Bumper, down the leg, Tadiwanashe Marumani fails to gather this clean and the batters run a single as well.
  • 16.2
    1
    Blessing Muzarabani to Kamil Mishara, On a length around middle and leg, Kamil Mishara drills this to long on for one.
  • 16.1
    4
    Blessing Muzarabani to Kamil Mishara, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Kamil Mishara opens up the off side by moving to his leg and cuts this beyond backward point for yet another boundary. 
  • END OF OVER 16 | 11 Runs & 0 Wkt | SL 170/2