Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in T20 opener

HARARE: Kamindu Mendis’ blistering unbeaten 41 off just 16 balls powered Sri Lanka to a four-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first T20 international at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

Our Mr. Consistent, Pathum Nissanka, keeps delivering no matter the format! 🤩 Another fantastic performance from him today! #ZIMvSL #PathumNissanka #srilankaCricket pic.twitter.com/gzOjmDgfko

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 3, 2025

Chasing 176, opener Pathum Nissanka set the tone with a fluent 55 off 32 balls, laced with four boundaries and two sixes, while Kusal Mendis chipped in with 38.

Despite a middle-order wobble that saw Sri Lanka slip to 106-4, Kamindu’s late assault — featuring four sixes — swung the game firmly in the visitors’ favour.

Dushan Hemantha’s 15 not out sealed the chase with five balls to spare as Sri Lanka finished at 177-6.

Earlier, Brian Bennett anchored Zimbabwe’s innings with a superb 81 off 57 balls, hitting 12 fours.

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Captain Sikandar Raza added a brisk 28, but the hosts’ late collapse meant they were restricted to 175-7 despite a promising platform.

Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, claiming 3-30.

A clinical all-round performance helps Sri Lanka go 1-0 up in the T20I series against Zimbabwe 👊

📸: @OfficialSLC #ZIMvSL 📝: https://t.co/FqfFcJjHQn pic.twitter.com/LnD5OXXoLi

— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2025

Richard Ngarava impressed for Zimbabwe with figures of 2-20, while Sikandar Raza and Brad Evans picked up one wicket each. However, the total proved just short against Sri Lanka’s power hitting.

Sri Lanka is touring Zimbabwe for an ODI and T20 series.

The two sides just finished a two-match ODI series, which was a whitewash by Sri Lanka. Both have now embarked on a three-match T20 series.

The second T20 is scheduled for Friday at the same venue, where Zimbabwe will look to level the series.

The match marked the debuts of two new lions: Dushan Hemantha and Nuwanidu Fernando.

Sri Lanka Playing XI

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara

Zimbabwe Playing XI

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

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