Sri Lanka Clinch Series with Commanding Win in Harare

Harare Sports Club was electric on September 7, 2025, the air heavy with hope and nerves as Zimbabwe stepped up to bat in the third T20I. The series was tied at 1-1, and this was the decider. Sri Lanka, having won the toss, chose to bowl first. They were banking on their pace attack, Dushmantha Chameera’s fire and Matheesha Pathirana’s slingshot deliveries to rattle Zimbabwe early on a pitch with just enough grass to keep things spicy.

Zimbabwe Innings

The Zimbabwe innings kicked off with a bang. Bennett, all swagger and hunger, didn’t waste a second, cracking two gorgeous boundaries, a cover drive that screamed class and a lofted shot that had the crowd buzzing. His 13 off 8 balls was pure intent, but Chameera, with that icy stare, wasn’t having it. In the third over, he got one to jag just enough, and Kusal Perera snapped up the edge behind the stumps, leaving Zimbabwe at 26/1. The fans hushed, but only for a moment, as Sean Williams, the old warhorse, strode out. He and Marumani turned the heat back on, with Williams unleashing a barrage of five fours in his 23 off 11 balls.

Tadiwanashe Marumani brings up his fourth T20I fifty 👏

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘: ▶ https://t.co/IYzYrrpZ5C 📺 📝 https://t.co/0rdfG0g6Yj#ZIMvSL #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/T9GOff4HGh

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) September 7, 2025

His wristy flicks and bold drives were a masterclass, lighting up the powerplay and getting the crowd roaring again. But just as Zimbabwe seemed to grab the game by the throat, Dushan Hemantha’s crafty spin changed the script. In the seventh over, Williams skied one, and Pathirana held on, leaving Zimbabwe at 65/2. The stands groaned, sensing the shift. Then came Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s captain and heartbeat, greeted by a deafening roar that could’ve rattled the floodlights. He and Marumani got to work, knitting a 56-run stand that pushed Zimbabwe past 100 in the 11th over.

Marumani played it smart, anchoring with a gritty fifty off 40 balls, his six fours and a massive six showing his growing steel. Raza, though, was all fire, 28 off 18, with three boundaries and a six that sailed into the stands, each shot a reminder of why he’s the man for a crisis. But Hemantha wasn’t done. In the 13th over, he outsmarted Raza, who holed out to Perera, breaking the stand at 121/3. The crowd’s cheers turned to gasps when Marumani fell soon after, stumped by Kusal Mendis off Hemantha for 51, leaving Zimbabwe teetering at 134/4 in the 15th over.

Ryan Burl walked in, eyes blazing, ready to keep the fight alive. His 26 off 15 balls was a whirlwind, two huge sixes and a boundary that had fans dreaming of a 200-plus total. Tashinga Musekiwa chipped in with 18 off 11, including a six that cleared the ropes with ease, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers hit back hard. Binura Fernando landed a pinpoint yorker to send Musekiwa’s stumps flying in the 17th over, and Chameera roared back to clean up Burl in the 18th, leaving Zimbabwe at 175/6. The lower order felt the squeeze. Tony Munyonga scrapped for an unbeaten 13 off 9, lashing two fours, but Brad Evans fell lbw to Pathirana for 2, and Tinotenda Maposa was run out for 1 in a frantic finish. Richard Ngarava’s last-ball four pushed Zimbabwe to 191/8 after 20 overs, a solid score, but one that left the door cracked open for Sri Lanka’s batsmen.

Zimbabwe have set Sri Lanka a target of 192 to win the T20I series decider. 🎯

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘: ▶ https://t.co/IYzYrrpZ5C 📺 📝 https://t.co/0rdfG0g6Yj#ZIMvSL #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/VvlW9yBNQs

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) September 7, 2025

Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the load like a well-oiled machine. Hemantha was the hero, his 3/38 ripping out Williams, Raza, and Marumani to keep Zimbabwe in check. Chameera’s 2/33 took down Bennett and Burl, while Pathirana and Fernando grabbed one each. Twelve extras, including seven wides, were a minor hiccup, but the bowlers ensured Zimbabwe didn’t break free. Marumani’s fifty, backed by quickfire knocks from Williams, Raza, and Burl, gave Zimbabwe a fighting chance, but 192 was a target Sri Lanka’s firepower could chase.

Sri Lanka Innings

When Sri Lanka walked out to chase 192, Harare Sports Club was a cauldron of noise. Zimbabwe’s fans clung to hope, praying their bowlers could defend the total. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis faced up to Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, the pitch still offering a whisper of swing. But Sri Lanka’s openers came out swinging. Nissanka, all focus and flair, smashed four fours and a six in his 33 off 20 balls, while Mendis, smooth as silk, carved out 30 off 17 with three fours and a six.

Sri Lanka 159/2, they need 33 runs in 30 balls

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘: ▶ https://t.co/IYzYrrpZ5C 📺 📝 https://t.co/0rdfG0g6Yj#ZIMvSL #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/HH96iy5Ewk

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) September 7, 2025

Their 50-run stand in just 27 balls was a gut-punch to Zimbabwe, and by the powerplay’s end, Sri Lanka were 67/1, the crowd’s cheers now laced with worry. Zimbabwe needed a miracle, and Brad Evans delivered a sliver of hope, nicking off Mendis in the sixth over, caught by a diving Raza at 58/1. Nissanka kept the pressure on, but Raza, spinning webs, bowled him in the eighth over for 33, leaving Sri Lanka at 76/2. The game was on a knife’s edge, but Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera walked in and took it away.

Their unbeaten 117-run stand for the third wicket was a thing of beauty, blending grit and audacity. Mishara, playing like a man possessed, finished not out on 73 off 43, his six fours and three sixes a mix of elegance and power. His maiden T20I fifty, reached off 33 balls, had Sri Lanka’s dugout grinning. Perera, pure dynamite, smashed 46 not out off 26, his four fours and two sixes picking off the short boundaries with ruthless precision.

Sri Lanka’s chase was a steamroller. They hit 100 in 9.5 overs, 150 in 14.2, their run rate soaring above 10. The third-wicket pair’s 100-run stand came in just 55 balls, Mishara’s calm and Perera’s fire crushing Zimbabwe’s hopes. Ngarava bled 42 runs without a wicket, Muzarabani leaked 43, and spinners Sean Williams and Brian Bennett were hammered for 23 runs in two overs. Evans (1/28) and Raza (1/29) were the only ones to strike, but it was like trying to stop a tidal wave.

Congratulations, Sri Lanka, and see you next time.#ZIMvSL #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/xqG5HpfD0S

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) September 7, 2025

Nine wides among 11 extras didn’t help Zimbabwe’s cause. Sri Lanka wrapped it up in the 18th over, cruising to 193/2 in 17.4 overs, an eight-wicket win with 14 balls to spare. Mishara’s masterclass earned him Player of the Match, while Chameera’s series-long brilliance snagged Player of the Series. With batsmen like Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis not even needed, Sri Lanka’s depth was a statement. Their clinical chase sealed a 2-1 series triumph, leaving Zimbabwe’s fans heartbroken but proud.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Dushan Hemantha owned TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game with a spell that turned the tide. The young spinner’s 3/38 off four overs, at an economy of 9.50, was a game-changer, taking down Sean Williams (23 off 11), Sikandar Raza (28 off 18), and Tadiwanashe Marumani (51 off 44). Each wicket was a body blow to Zimbabwe. Williams fell in the seventh over, his blazing cameo ended by a catch to Pathirana.

WICKET! Brian Bennett (13) c Perera b Chameera

Zimbabwe are 26/1 after 2.3 overs

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘: ▶ https://t.co/IYzYrrpZ5C 📺 📝 https://t.co/0rdfG0g6Yj#ZIMvSL #ExperienceZimbabwe

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) September 7, 2025

Raza’s exit in the 13th broke a dangerous 56-run stand, and Marumani’s stumping in the 15th sparked a collapse from 121/3 to 134/4. While Fernando (1/48) and Pathirana (1/40) struggled, Hemantha’s tight lines and clever spin shone on a batting-friendly pitch. His cool head kept Zimbabwe to 191/8, a total Sri Lanka could chase. The crowd felt every wicket, and Hemantha’s spell was the spark that kept the game alive, earning him the spotlight.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Kamil Mishara was the soul of Sri Lanka’s triumph, earning TCNI’s Hero of the Day for his unbeaten 73 off 43 balls. His strike rate of 169.76, with six fours and three sixes, lit up Harare. Walking in after Mendis fell at 58/1, Mishara steadied the ship, then unleashed havoc alongside Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 46. Their 117-run stand was a masterclass, chasing 192 in 17.4 overs with 14 balls to spare.

How impressed is #SriLanka with Kamil Mishara
🇱🇰🏏 pic.twitter.com/0bmQUyHJZR

— Market News🇱🇰 (@MarketNewsLK) September 7, 2025

Mishara’s maiden T20I fifty, reached in 33 balls, was pure class, his calm under pressure guiding Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win. While Nissanka (33) and Mendis (30) set the stage, Mishara’s brilliance outshone Zimbabwe’s bowlers, including Raza (1/29). His 52-minute knock was the heart of Sri Lanka’s series-clinching victory, making him the day’s true hero.