Pakistan will be up against Zimbabwe in the second match of the T20I tri-series. This article provides details about Sri Lanka’s Playing 11 vs Zimbabwe for the second match of the series.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Zimbabwe- Pakistan T20I Tri Series 2025, Match 2:
Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk)
Sri Lanka has made a few last-minute changes to the squad for the ongoing T20I tri series most prominent of them being the exclusion of then being of captain Charith Asalanka, who had to return home due to illness.
Along with Asalanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando won’t be a part of the team either, which means that the responsibility of Sri Lanka’s fast bowling department would be on Dushmantha Chameera.
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Former captain Dasun Shanka is back to lead the side in the absence of Asalanka and will look to manage his resources well.
Amidst the number of changes that Sri Lanka has gone through, most of which are in the bowling department, the onus will be on the batters to come good and post an above-par total on the board while batting first.
The former T20 World Cup winners will open the innings with Pathum Nissanka and former captain Kusal Mendis.
Pathum, who has been in good form in the last few years and has become the mainstay of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, would be entrusted to get the team off to a good start along with Mendis.
Both batters will also be expected to score runs individually as well so as to gain confidence for the matches to come.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c)
A lot will depend on how Sri Lanka’s middle order performs, because if the likes of Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, and Bhanuka Rajapaksha are able to get going, then the bowling team will have its task cut out.
Lanka will have to post a score of at least 170-180 runs to stay ahead in the game, given the inexperience that the team’s bowling attack possesses.
The team has all the resources to do it with the presence of big hitters like Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, and Dasun Shanaka, all of whom can play big shots at the backend of the innings.
Having said that, it is the top five batters that will have to lay a platform for the likes of Shanaka and Liyanage to execute their plan of clearing the boundary in the final five overs.
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
When it comes to Lanka’s bowling attack, it is a bit short on experience, with Asitha Fernando and Wanindu Hasaranga not being a part of the squad.
Meaning that the majority of the work while bowling will have to be done by Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera.
The two bowlers will be assisted by Nuwan Thushara, while Dasun Shanaka will also have to bowl his full quota of overs if Sri Lanka decides to go batting heavy in the upcoming match against Zimbabwe.
It will have to be a complete effort with the ball, with the likes of Kamindu Menfis and Janih Liyanage also chipping in if Lanka wants to keep the opposition batters in check.
