On November 20, 2025, Zimbabwe delivered a crushing performance to defeat Sri Lanka by 67 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, in the second match of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025-26Rawalpindi. Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 162 for 8 in 20 overs, powered by a vital 61-run partnership between Sikandar Raza (47) and Ryan Bennett (49). But the real story was Sri Lanka’s batting collapse — bowled out for just 95 in 20 overs, their lowest total in T20Is since 2023. The Richard Ngarava Evans show was devastating: 3 for 9 in four overs, including three wickets in his first two overs. It wasn’t just one bowler; Tendai Chisoro Braava (2-18) and Sean Williams Burl (1-12) kept the pressure relentless. Sri Lanka’s innings unraveled like a frayed rope — six wickets fell for 38 runs between the 6th and 12th overs. No one else scored more than 34.
Why Sri Lanka’s Batting Fell Apart
The numbers tell a brutal story. Pathum Nissanka was out for 0 off 5 balls. Bhanuka Rajapaksa Gurusingha Mendis run out for 6. Minod Bhanuka Keerthi Jeevantha Perera caught behind for 4. The top order didn’t just fail — they vanished. Even captain Dasun Madushanka Shanaka, who top-scored with 34 off 25, admitted the team lacked intent. “To be honest, the intent just wasn’t there from the start,” he said after the match. “Credit to the Zimbabwe bowlers, but with the experience we have, we should’ve started better.”
It wasn’t just poor shot selection. It was timing, too. Zimbabwe’s bowlers didn’t rely on pace or spin alone — they mixed lengths, targeted the corridor just outside off-stump, and kept the field tight. Sri Lanka’s middle order, usually their strength, looked like a team playing catch-up from ball one. When Dasun Shanaka fell to Evans in the 14th over, the writing was on the wall. The last five wickets fell for just 21 runs. The extras — 12 in total — told another tale: 6 wides, 4 leg byes, 2 byes. That’s not just poor batting. That’s poor discipline.
Zimbabwe’s Quiet Revolution
This win isn’t a fluke. It’s the culmination of a quiet transformation. Zimbabwe hasn’t won a T20I series since 2021. But under new captaincy and a renewed focus on middle-order stability, they’re becoming dangerous. Raza, 34, is playing like a man with something to prove. Bennett, 27, is emerging as a finisher. And Evans — a fast bowler who was nearly dropped last year — is now their most lethal weapon. His 3-9 is the best bowling figures by a Zimbabwean in T20Is against Sri Lanka.
They didn’t need fireworks. They didn’t need 200. They needed control. And they delivered it. The 162 was modest, but it was built on smart hitting — no reckless sixes, just singles, boundaries when the ball was overpitched, and smart running between wickets. The fielding was sharp. The catching — especially the run-out of Rajapaksa — was textbook.
Historical Context: A Pattern of Struggles
This loss extends Sri Lanka’s winless streak in Pakistan to four matches — three ODIs followed by this T20I defeat. Their last win in Pakistan? That was back in 2019. Since then, they’ve lost to Pakistan in ODIs in 2021, to Zimbabwe in a tight 4-run thriller in September 2025, and now this. The contrast with Zimbabwe’s recent form is stark. On September 6, 2025, Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 4 runs in Harare. The very next day, Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets. But that was on home soil. In Pakistan, under pressure, in front of a partisan crowd, their nerves cracked.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s 2024 tour of Sri Lanka ended in a 5-run win — a match they were expected to lose. Now, they’re beating them by 67 runs in a neutral venue. That’s not just improvement. That’s evolution.
What’s Next? The Tri-Series Shifts Gears
The next match — November 22, 2025 — pits Sri Lanka against hosts Pakistan at Rawalpindi. But Pakistan already has the upper hand. They beat Zimbabwe by 69 runs on November 23, 2025, in the fourth match of the series, with Fakhar Zaman smashing 27 off 10 balls at No. 3 after being moved from opener to middle order. The PCB’s strategic reshuffle — replacing Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad — is paying off. Fakhar’s late-innings firepower has turned Pakistan into favorites.
For Sri Lanka, the pressure is mounting. With the Asia Cup looming in early 2026, this series is a last chance to rebuild confidence. But right now, their batting looks fragile, their spinners inconsistent, and their leadership under scrutiny. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are riding a wave of belief. They’ve beaten Sri Lanka in three of their last four meetings. That’s not luck. That’s momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sri Lanka’s batting collapse so badly in Rawalpindi?
Sri Lanka’s batting collapsed due to poor shot selection, lack of intent from the start, and Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling attack. Key wickets fell in clusters — six for 38 between overs 6 and 12 — as bowlers like Richard Evans targeted the off-stump corridor with tight lines and clever variations. The top order failed to settle, and the middle order couldn’t recover under pressure.
How has Zimbabwe’s team changed to achieve this level of success?
Zimbabwe has shifted from relying on individual brilliance to structured, team-oriented cricket. Players like Sikandar Raza and Ryan Bennett have stabilized the middle order, while bowlers like Richard Evans and Tendai Chisoro have developed lethal variations. Their fielding has improved, and they’re playing with confidence after recent wins over Sri Lanka and a close contest against Pakistan.
What does this result mean for Sri Lanka’s chances in the Asia Cup 2026?
This loss deepens concerns ahead of the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka’s batting has now failed in four consecutive matches in Pakistan, revealing a lack of resilience under pressure. If their top order can’t adapt to different conditions and bowling attacks, they risk being eliminated early. The team needs immediate work on mental toughness and shot selection.
Who are the standout performers in the tri-series so far?
Richard Evans (ZIM) leads with 3-9 against Sri Lanka, while Sikandar Raza (47) and Ryan Bennett (49) anchored Zimbabwe’s innings. For Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 27 off 10 balls in the middle order has been a game-changer. On the Sri Lankan side, Dasun Shanaka’s 34 was the only bright spot — but even he couldn’t prevent the collapse.
How did Pakistan’s team strategy evolve during the series?
Pakistan moved Fakhar Zaman from opener to No. 3 after poor form from Hasan Nawaz and injury to Abdul Samad. This allowed Fakhar to play a finisher role, and his 27 off 10 balls against Zimbabwe proved decisive. The PCB is now testing middle-order flexibility, using experienced players to stabilize late overs — a tactic that worked in their 69-run win over Zimbabwe.
Is this Zimbabwe’s best T20I performance in recent years?
Yes, this is arguably Zimbabwe’s most complete T20I performance since 2021. They combined disciplined batting, aggressive yet controlled bowling, and sharp fielding to defeat a team with more international experience. The 67-run win is their largest margin of victory in a T20I against Sri Lanka, and Evans’ 3-9 is their best bowling figures in a T20I against them.
