T20I Tri-Series 2025, Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe: Preview and stats
What's the story
The second match of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 will see Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe on Thursday, November 20. The game is scheduled to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, starting at 6:30pm IST. Sri Lanka's full-time skipper Charith Asalanka is out due to illness and Dasun Shanaka will lead the team in his absence. Here is the match preview.
Team dynamics
Sri Lanka's recent performance and leadership change
Sri Lanka's last major 20-over tournament was the Asia Cup, where they topped their group but were knocked out in the Super Four phase. Now, under the temporary captaincy of Shanaka, they are looking for a winning start to this series. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe come into this match after a five-wicket defeat against Pakistan in their previous outing.
Match insights
Pitch report and head-to-head record
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch is expected to be batting-friendly with minimal assistance for spinners. Pace bowlers may get some help and movement off the deck. In their T20I history, Sri Lanka have won seven out of nine matches against Zimbabwe, who own two victories. The last encounter between these two teams was on September 7, 2025.
Team lineup
Predicted playing XI for Thursday's match
Sri Lanka's predicted playing XI includes Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth. On the other hand, Zimbabwe's probable lineup features Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Brendar Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava.
Stats
Player focus: A look at the key stats
Sikandar Raza is Zimbabwe's top scorer in T20Is with 2,776 runs from 124 matches at 25.46. He owns 1 ton and 16 fifties. Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett scored 49 in the 1st match and became the 5th Zimbabwe player with 1,500-plus runs in T20Is. He owns 1,504 runs at 32. For the Lankans, Kusal Mendis owns 2,198 runs 90 T20Is at 25.55. He has hit 17 fifties. Meanwhile, Nissanka is just above Mendis in terms of runs (2,211 at 31.58).
Poll
