Kamindu Mendis powers Sri Lanka to 4 wicket win over Zimbabwe in 1st T20I

On September 3, 2025, the Harare Sports Club saw Zimbabwe taking on Sri Lanka in the first match of the T20 Series. After Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl, Zimbabwe were tasked with setting a formidable total on a pitch that promised runs early on. They managed 175/7 in their 20 overs, thanks to a dazzling 81 from Brian Bennett, with solid support from Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl. Yet, losing wickets at critical moments prevented them from fully capitalizing on a strong start, leaving the game poised for an exciting chase.

Zimbabwe Innings

Zimbabwe’s innings began with openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani facing Sri Lanka’s new-ball attack. Bennett looked at ease from the outset, cracking a streaky boundary in the first over off Nuwan Thushara. The ball, a good-length delivery, flew off the edge past the keeper to third man, giving Bennett an early boost. Marumani, however, couldn’t find his rhythm against the moving ball. His struggles ended in the 2.2nd over when Dushmantha Chameera, Sri Lanka’s pace ace, drew an edge that Nuwanidu Fernando snapped up at slip. Marumani trudged off for 7 off 7 balls, leaving Zimbabwe at 22/1 and the middle order under pressure to steady the ship.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against Zimbabwe in the 1st T20I. #ZImVSL pic.twitter.com/USsIYXZkDb

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

Sean Williams walked in to join Bennett, aiming to make the most of the powerplay. Bennett kept the scoreboard ticking, finding gaps with crisp drives and deft cuts, his confidence growing with each shot. Williams, in contrast, took the aggressive route, smashing two boundaries to keep the runs flowing. By the end of the powerplay in the 6th over, Zimbabwe had reached 59/2, but their momentum took a hit when Maheesh Theekshana’s spin struck. Williams, trying to sweep a full-length ball, was pinned lbw for 14 off 11 balls in the 5.5th over. At 59/2, Zimbabwe needed a big partnership, and captain Sikandar Raza stepped up to deliver.

The third-wicket stand between Bennett and Raza was the heart of Zimbabwe’s innings. Bennett, playing with flair, reached his fifty off 33 balls, mixing clever singles with eight cracking fours. His ability to pick gaps and punish loose balls was a treat to watch. Raza, adopting a calmer approach, scored 28 off 22 balls, his highlight being a monstrous six off Dushan Hemantha’s leg-spin in the 8th over, launched over long-on with a flourish. Their 50-run partnership came up in 39 balls, pushing Zimbabwe to 100 in the 10.5th over. Just as they threatened to take the game away, Hemantha struck back in the 12.4th over.

Raza, aiming to clear deep mid-wicket, was caught by Pathum Nissanka, ending the stand at 109/3. Ryan Burl joined Bennett, and the pair kept the runs coming, adding 50 runs in 34 balls. Bennett continued to dominate, his shot-making a blend of precision and power, while Burl played a supporting role, scoring 17 off 15 balls with a couple of well-placed boundaries. Zimbabwe crossed 150 in the 17.1st over, but the wheels started to come off in the death overs. Chameera returned with a bang, castling Burl with a pinpoint yorker in the 18.3rd over. In the same over, Bennett’s superb 81 off 57 balls ended when he was bowled attempting to up the tempo. His knock, laced with 12 fours, had held Zimbabwe’s innings together, but his exit at 162/5 left the lower order scrambling.

The final overs were a letdown for Zimbabwe. Tashinga Musekiwa sparked briefly, hammering two boundaries in his 11 off 6 balls, but he fell to Thushara in the 19.4th over, caught by Kusal Mendis. A mix-up in the next ball saw Tony Munyonga run out for a duck, denting Zimbabwe’s hopes of reaching 180. Brad Evans (0 not out) and Tinotenda Maposa (2 not out) could only manage a single in the final over, as Zimbabwe finished at 175/7. Chameera was the pick of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, claiming 3/30, while Theekshana (1/24) and Hemantha (1/35) each took a wicket. Thushara’s 1/47 was pricey but included a vital scalp. Sri Lanka’s 15 extras, including 12 wides, gave Zimbabwe a slight cushion, but their tight death bowling kept the total within reach.

We need 176 to win! Our Lions are ready to chase down this target. Let's go! #ZIMvSL pic.twitter.com/adNCPnvjM3

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

Bennett’s 81 was a gem, but the lack of a big finish hurt. Raza and Burl provided stability, but losing wickets in clusters stalled their momentum. At 175/7, Zimbabwe had a fighting total, but their bowlers would need to be at their best to defend it against Sri Lanka’s strong batting lineup.

Sri Lanka Innings

Chasing 176 under the lights at Harare Sports Club, Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling four-wicket win, reaching 177/6 in 19.1 overs. A blazing start from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put them in control, but a dramatic middle-order collapse made things tense. Kamindu Mendis’ explosive 41 not out off 16 balls turned the game, guiding Sri Lanka to a 1-0 series lead with five balls to spare.

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

Sri Lanka’s chase roared to life with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis attacking from the first ball. Nissanka was in top gear, cracking a cover drive off Richard Ngarava in the opening over that raced to the boundary. By the 4.3rd over, Sri Lanka had stormed to 50 without loss, with Nissanka contributing 33 runs, including four fours and a towering six. His fifty came off just 28 balls, a masterclass in timing and power. Kusal Mendis played second fiddle, nudging singles and picking up occasional boundaries. Their 96-run stand in 10.1 overs gave Sri Lanka a dream start, with 65 runs coming in the powerplay.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to find answers early, with Tinotenda Maposa and Blessing Muzarabani going for plenty. The breakthrough finally came in the 10th over when Maposa got Nissanka, who skied one to Tadiwanashe Marumani at mid-off for 55 off 32 balls. That wicket sparked a collapse that swung the game. Ngarava struck twice in the 12th over, dismissing Kusal Perera (4 off 8) and Kusal Mendis (38 off 35), both caught in the deep. At 103/3, Sri Lanka’s comfortable position was unraveling. Captain Charith Asalanka’s stay was brief, bowled by Sikandar Raza for 1 in the 13.1st over, leaving them at 106/4.

The slide continued as Nuwanidu Fernando fell for 7 off 9 balls in the 15.3rd over, caught by Raza off Muzarabani. At 125/5, with 51 runs needed off 27 balls, Zimbabwe smelled blood. Dasun Shanaka’s dismissal for 6 in the 16.6th over, caught by Tony Munyonga off Brad Evans, left Sri Lanka at 142/6, needing 34 off 18 balls. Enter Kamindu Mendis, who flipped the script with a breathtaking display of hitting.

Kamindu, batting at No. 6, took charge alongside debutant Dushan Hemantha. The 18th over, bowled by Maposa, was a game-changer, going for 26 runs. Kamindu smashed four sixes, mostly behind square on the leg side, punishing Zimbabwe’s wayward bowling. His onslaught left just 8 runs needed off 12 balls. In the 19th over, Muzarabani bowled a full delivery that Hemantha drove elegantly through covers for a boundary, sealing the win with five balls to spare. Sri Lanka finished at 177/6, with Kamindu unbeaten on 41 (16 balls, 1 four, 4 sixes) and Hemantha on 14 not out (9 balls, 2 fours).

We held our nerve and secured a thrilling victory! Sri Lanka wins the first T20I against Zimbabwe by 4 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series! #ZIMvSL #SriLankaCricket #LionsRoar pic.twitter.com/WAUCWUSuGw

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

Ngarava was Zimbabwe’s standout bowler, finishing with 2/19 in four tight overs, while Raza (1/26) and Evans (1/30) also chipped in. Muzarabani (1/41) and Maposa (1/47) were costly, especially in the death overs, where their lack of accuracy proved fatal. Zimbabwe’s fielders shone, with sharp catches by Marumani, Munyonga, and Raza, but the 18th over’s damage was too much to overcome. Kamindu’s heroics earned him the Player of the Match award.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

The TCNI Magic Moment of the Game was Brian Bennett’s sparkling 81 off 57 balls, the backbone of Zimbabwe’s 175/7. Facing a disciplined Sri Lankan attack, Bennett showed poise beyond his years, striking 12 fours at a strike rate of 142.10 over 84 minutes. His innings was a mix of smart running and aggressive strokeplay, finding gaps with ease and punishing anything loose.

A fine knock as Brian Bennett hits his second-highest T20I score 👏 pic.twitter.com/ML95zXfGhR

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 3, 2025

After Marumani’s early exit at 22/1, Bennett held firm, building a key 50-run stand with Sikandar Raza (28 off 22). His battle against Chameera, Theekshana, and Hemantha was captivating, though his dismissal in the 19th over by Chameera (3/30) curbed Zimbabwe’s late push. Supported by Burl (17), Musekiwa (11), and 15 extras, Bennett’s knock was the defining moment of Zimbabwe’s innings.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Kamindu Mendis was the TCNI Hero of the Day for his match-winning 41 not out off 16 balls in Sri Lanka’s chase of 176. Walking in at a wobbly 106/4 in the 13th over, Kamindu turned the game with a fearless display. His knock, at a strike rate of 256.25, included one four and four massive sixes, shredding Zimbabwe’s bowling in the clutch.

Man of the Match, Kamindu Mendis! 🎉
An incredible match-winning knock of 41 not out from just 16 balls. What a sensational performance to get us over the line!#ZIMvSL #KaminduMendis #LionsRoar pic.twitter.com/y3xfjl0W3q

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

The 18th over, where he smashed four sixes off Maposa, was a turning point, leaving just 8 runs needed off 12 balls. With Hemantha’s unbeaten 14 alongside him, Kamindu steered Sri Lanka to 177/6 in 19.1 overs, despite early fireworks from Nissanka (55) and Kusal Mendis (38). His cool-headed aggression marked him as a star, earning him the spotlight.