The Charith Asalanka-led Sri Lanka National Cricket Team have been annihilated by the Sikandar Raza-led Zimbabwe National Cricket Team a few days before the Asia Cup 2025.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team displayed a horrible batting performance in the second T20I match of the series against the Chevrons at the Harare Sports Club.
Sri Lanka bowled out for 80
The Lankan Lions won the T20I series opener comprehensively by 4 wickets while chasing down 176 in the 20th over to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
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Then, in the second T20I, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl first. The bowlers made the most of the decision and ran through the Sri Lankan batting unit.
From the very first over, Zimbabwe bowlers dominated and made life tough for the visiting batters on Saturday, September 6. Although the pitch had nothing in it, the Lankan batters struggled to get going, and the visitors’ innings ended in the 18th over itself.
Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamil Mishara, and Kamindu Mendis got out inside 7 overs. After that, Dasun Shanaka fell in the 13th over, and on the fourth ball of the 18th over, Maheesh Theekshana got out as the last wicket, and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 80 runs.
For the visitors, Kamil Mishara (20), Charith Asalanka (18), and Dasun Shanaka (15) scored runs in double digits while Brad Evans and Sikandar Raza took three wickets each for the hosts with Blessing Muzarabani and Sean Williams also chipping in.
Sri Lanka record their second-lowest total in T20I cricket
The Lankan Lions registered their second-lowest total in the format by getting all out for 80, and it was also the lowest T20I total by a Full-Member side against Zimbabwe.
The lowest ever score registered by Sri Lanka in T20I cricket came on June 3, 2024, against South Africa in New York. Notably, Sri Lanka’s 80 all out is also the lowest team total in Harare.
Sri Lanka’s lowest T20I scores:
77 vs South Africa in New York (June 3, 2024)
80 vs Zimbabwe in Harare (September 6, 2025)
82 vs India in Visakhapatnam (February 14, 2016)
87 vs Australia in Bridgetown (May 9, 2010)
87 vs India in Cuttack (December 20, 2017)
91 vs England in Southampton (June 26, 2021)
After bundling out the visitors, the Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani said that the wind assisted them very well in the innings, and they made the most of the conditions. He said:
“I think the wind helped us and everyone used the conditions well. We just wanted to be tighter, everyone who came and bowled just stuck to one plan. We need to respect the bowling, bat well and hopefully we’ll get to the target.”
Playing XIs Of Sri Lanka And Zimbabwe For the 2nd T20I
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando
Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
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