Zimbabwe Crush Sri Lanka by 67 Runs in Tri-Series Stunner

Zimbabwe delivered a crushing blow to Sri Lanka on Thursday, sealing their biggest-ever T20I win over the islanders with a commanding 67-run victory in the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025.

Chasing 163, Sri Lanka crashed to 95 all out off the final ball, undone by relentless Zimbabwean bowling led by fast bowler Brad Evans, who produced a sensational spell of 3 for 9. All six Zimbabwe bowlers struck as Sri Lanka suffered a batting meltdown in their opening match of the series.

Earlier, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 162 for 8, built on a solid start from Brian Bennett (49) and a composed 47 off 32 from captain Sikandar Raza. The pair added 61 runs and laid the foundation for a late surge, with Zimbabwe plundering 46 runs in the final five overs.

“You want to be there when the chips are down and do the dirty work for the team,” Raza said after the win. “If I’m trying, I feel my team is going to try.”

Sri Lanka’s problems deepened on what has been a disastrous white-ball tour of Pakistan. After a 3–0 ODI series whitewash, they faltered again—losing Pathum Nissanka for a five-ball duck, followed by Kusal Perera departing cheaply. At 25 for 2 in the powerplay, the innings never recovered.

Stand-in captain Dasun Shanaka (34) was one of only two Sri Lankan batters to reach double figures.

“The intent was not there from the beginning,” Shanaka admitted. “We cannot accept this with the players and experience we’ve got.”

Raza and Bennett, who impressed in Zimbabwe’s narrow loss to Pakistan on Tuesday, once again played pivotal roles with both bat and ball.

With this dominant performance, Zimbabwe have thrown the tri-series wide open.
Sri Lanka now face Pakistan on Saturday in a must-win clash.