Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I Preview – All to Play for in Harare

Chandan

Published on: 5 September 2025

The cricketing excitement continues in Harare as Zimbabwe prepare for the second T20 International of the three-match series with Sri Lanka on Saturday, September 6, 2025. After Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe by four wickets in a thrilling opening match, the hosts will be eager to bounce back and level the series ahead of the decider.

This series is important for both teams for different reasons. For Zimbabwe, it is a chance to prove their ability on home turf and build momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup Qualifiers. For Sri Lanka, it is a chance to register a historic T20 series win in Zimbabwe and showcase their growing depth in white-ball cricket.

Match Details

Venue: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka – 2nd T20I Match
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 1:30 pm local time (CAT) / 11:30 am GMT time
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
Format: T20 International (20 overs each team)
Series: Sri Lanka lead 1-0 in the 3-match series

What happened in the 1st T20I?

The first match of the series was a thrilling one. Batting first, Zimbabwe scored a strong 175 for 7 in 20 overs. Brian Bennett played a brilliant innings of 81 runs off just 57 balls. His innings was a mix of powerful shots and clever bowling, which made the home crowd rejoice.

In response, Sri Lanka got off to a good start and Pathum Nissanka held on to the innings with a restrained half-century. But left-handed middle-order batsman Kamindu Mendis turned the match around with a blistering 41 off just 16 balls. His last-minute knock helped Sri Lanka reach the target with just five balls to spare and six wickets in hand.

Venue Guide: Harare Sports Club

The second T20 match will once again be played at the historic Harare Sports Club. The pitch here is favorable to both batsmen and bowlers. Initially, pacers can get bounce and carry, while as the match progresses, spinners often come into play. The outfield is fast, and the short square boundaries allow for aggressive stroke play.

The weather is expected to be dry and sunny, which means dew could play a role in the second innings. The captain winning the toss may prefer to chase, as the floodlight conditions in the first match were favorable to the batting team.

Zimbabwe Team Preview

Zimbabwe showed a lot of fire in the first match. Their batting was aggressive and fearless under the leadership of Brian Bennett. The top order of the team performed well, but there was a lack of rhythm towards the end of the innings. They will have to address this soon if they are to score or chase big scores.

Zimbabwe Key Players:

Brian Bennett – The star player of the first match of the series. His powerful batting and calm nature make him the most dangerous batsman in Zimbabwe at the moment.
Sikander Raza – The experienced all-rounder did not have much impact in the first match, but with his ability to change the game with both bat and ball, he remains a vital player for Zimbabwe.
Richard Ngarava – The left-arm pacer bowled with a lot of passion, but he will need more support from the bowling unit to stop the Sri Lankan middle-order batsmen.

Zimbabwe will hope for a better performance from their senior players. Consistency in batting and better bowling in the final overs will be crucial if they want to stop Sri Lanka from winning the series.

Sri Lanka Team Preview

Sri Lanka will be brimming with confidence after a resounding win in the first T20I. Their batting order looks balanced and dangerous, with the likes of Nissanka, Mendis and Asalanka capable of taking the match away from the opposition. Their bowling, especially in the last five overs, has been efficient and disciplined.

Sri Lanka Key Players:

Pathum Nissanka – Technically competent opener who performed brilliantly in the first match. He is in great form across formats and is a dependable scorer at the top of the order.

Kamindu Mendis – His explosive innings of 41 runs in 16 balls proved to be decisive. If he gets back into form, Zimbabwe could be in trouble.

Dushmantha Chameera – The pacer picked up three wickets and bowled brilliantly in the final overs. His experience is invaluable for the visiting team.

Sri Lanka would like to improve on a few areas like fielding and powerplay bowling, but overall, their side looks stable and composed.

Strategy and Tactics Zimbabwe:

Start strongly in the powerplay and aim to keep wickets.

Bowl a tight line in the final overs, especially against batsmen like Mendis and Shanaka.

Slow down the Sri Lankan run rate by using spinners smartly in the middle overs.

Sri Lanka:

Target the Zimbabwean middle order with fast and short-pitched deliveries.

Keep Brian Bennett quiet early on with accurate swing bowling.

Use your strong batting line-up to keep the pressure on even if early wickets fall.

Both teams will have lessons to learn from the first match. Zimbabwe will aim to build on the positives and correct mistakes, while Sri Lanka will hope to keep the momentum going and seal the series.

Where to watch

FanCode (Live Streaming)

What’s at stake?

This match is a crucial one for Zimbabwe. A win will level the series and set up a thrilling decider. More importantly, it will boost their morale ahead of bigger international tournaments and qualifiers. For Sri Lanka, a win here would mean a historic T20I series win on Zimbabwean soil—something they have never achieved before. It would also be another step forward in their rebuilding phase in white-ball cricket.

Predictions and what to expect

With both teams performing well in the first match, another nail-biting contest is expected. Zimbabwe will go all-out in front of their enthusiastic home crowd, while Sri Lanka will rely on their experience and skill to get the win.

Match Prediction: A high-scoring encounter is likely. If Zimbabwe’s top order is aggressive again and their bowlers keep their composure, they could win the series-deciding third T20I. However, if Sri Lanka continue their stellar performance, they could clinch the series with one match to spare.

Final Thoughts

The second T20I between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka is not just a cricket match—it’s a test of patience, strategy, and execution under pressure. Zimbabwe will be eager to make their mark, while Sri Lanka will want to prove that their T20 side is one of the most dangerous teams in world cricket.

When the two teams return to Harare for this crucial encounter, fans can expect explosive performances, excitement and some thrilling individual performances. Whether this match ends in victory for Zimbabwe or celebration for Sri Lanka, one thing is for sure: cricket fans are in for a treat.