Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, T20I Tri-Series in PAK, 2025 Nov 25 Full score card

SIX! just short of his century! Back of a length, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka stays in his crease and clatters it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 9 wickets!

FOUR! What a knock this is from Pathum Nissanka! Back of a length, outside off, Pathum Nissanka picks it well and hammers it over wide of mid off for a boundary.

Wide! Down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka looks to flick it but misses.

Hard length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka knocks it to mid on for a single.

Length, on leg, Pathum Nissanka flicks it to mid-wicket for a brace.

Back of a length, on off, Kusal Mendis fends it to cover for a single.

Short, outside off, Pathum Nissanka slashes it over cover for a single.

SIX! Inching closer to a victory is Sri Lanka. Good length on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka slogs this up and over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie this time.

FOUR! On a length around off, Pathum Nissanka steps down and away and lofts this over the fielder at mid off for a boundary. Signs of aggression from Pathum Nissanka.

TWO LEG BYES! Quicker, on the pads, Kusal Mendis goes for the flick but misses. Gets it tickled off the pads for a couple to square leg.

Tossed up on the pads, Pathum Nissanka slogs this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Fired around off, Pathum Nissanka guides this to short third for no run.

Short on off, Pathum Nissanka pulls this to the cow corner for a couple.

Fuller on off, Kusal Mendis muscles this to long off for one.

Fired on off, Pathum Nissanka thumps this to sweeper cover for one.

On a length, around the pads, Pathum Nissanka flicks this to fine leg for one.

On a length wide of off, Kusal Perera shimmies down the track and smashes this to deep point for one.

On a length around off, Kusal Mendis dabs this to deep third for one.

Short and wide of off, Pathum Nissanka punchesthis to sweeper cover for one.

SIX! A lot more class behind this biggie. On a length, angling across the batter, Pathum Nissanka steps inside the line of it and just flicks this over the fence towards deep backward square leg for a biggie.

SIX! Just short of his century! Back of a length, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka stays back and clatters it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 9 wickets!

Full an don off, Pathum Nissanka pushes this through mid on for one.

FOUR! Swept away for four. Tossed up, on the pads, Pathum Nissanka goes down on a knee and sweeps this behind square on leg for a boundary.

Tossed up, wide of off, Pathum Nissanka goes for the reverse sweep but misses.

Fuller, on the pads, Pathum Nissanka punches this straight to the fielder.

Quicker and flatter, on off, Kusal hops onto the back foot and pulls this through mid-wicket for one.

Fired onto off, Pathum Nissanka goes deep inside the crease and punches this to long on for one.

Back of a length, around the pads, Pathum Nissanka tucks this through mid-wicket and takes a single to reach his half-century.

On a length around the pads, Pathum Nissanka nudges this through mid-wicket and scampers back for two. Pathum Nissanka moves to 49.

Good length, on off, Kusal Mendis guides this to third man region for one.

Good length, in the sticks, Kusal Mendis guides this to mid-wicket.

On a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis defends this out.

Good length on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes this through cover for one.

Full and on off, Pathum Nissanka rolls this to long off for another single.

Pushed through, on the pads, Pathum Nissanka jams this out.

Quicker one, on middle and off, Kusal Mendis pushes this in the gap on off for one.

Fuller on off, Pathum Nissanka rolls this down to long off for one.

Tossed up on middle and off, Pathum Nissanka pushes this to mid off.

Full and on off, Pathum Nissanka blocks it out.

DRINKS!

Flatter on off, Kusal Mendis defends well.

Fired onto the pads, Pathum Nissanka drills this to long on for one more.

Tossed up, around off, Kusal Mendis presses in front and drives this to long off for one.

SIX HIGH AND HANDSOME! Tossed up, around middle and off, Kusal Mendis jumps down the track, gets right on top of the bounce and smashes this behind the sight screen for a massively hit biggie.

Flatter, on off, Pathum Nissanka guides this through backward point for one.

Floated on off, KM punches this down to long off for one.

Tossed up, on off, Pathum Nissanka goes deep inside his crease and guides this to short third.

Fired on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis nudges this in the gap through square leg for a single.

Fuller on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis flicks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Seam up, full and on off, Kusal pushes this back to the bowler.

Fired onto the pads, Pathum Nissanka flicks this through square leg for one.

Fuller on off, Kusal Mendis drills this to long on for a strike rotation.

Quicker and flatter on off, Kusal Mendis thuds this down to long on for a single.

Fuller on off, Pathum Nissanka rolls this down to long on for one.

Much slower, wide of off, Kusal Mendis goes deep inside the crease and cuts this through backward point for one.

Fuller on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka nudges this through mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up, around the pads, Pathum Nissanka goes for the sweep but misses out.

Quicker one, on the pads, Pathum Nissanka blocks this out.

Tossed up on off, Pathum Nissanka dabs this gently, in front of cover and takes a single.

Pushed through on off, Pathum Nissanka blocks this out.

Tossed up on off, Kusal Mendis gets it past the bowler for a single towards mid off.

Full and on off, Pathum Nissanka drills this to long on for a single.

Short of a length on middle and off, Kusal Mendis pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fired into the batter, Kusal Mendis backaway and flicks this to short mid-wicket.

Sikandar Raza comes into the attack.

On a length around the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! WOW! Just admire this stroke from Kusal Mendis. Back of a length on middle and off, Kusal Mendis presses in front and goes back onto the back foot as he punches this through the gap between cover and extra cover for a boundary.

Kusal Mendis walks out at 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Brad comes round the wicket, slants one into the batter. Kamil Mishara gets hurried into the flick and gets a bit cramped as well. Flicks this towards the right of Wellington Masakadza at mid-wicket. WM glides to his right and puts in a diver before grabbing it one handed.

Good length around off, Pathum Nissanka cuts this through point for a strike rotation.

A bit towards the fuller-length, wide of off, from Brad. Pathum Nissanka swings and misses out on the outside.

FOUR! Even the edges are flying to the fence. Good length, around off, Pathum Nissanka stands still and throws his hands at it. Gets an outside edge and the ball flies past the right of the keeper for a boundary.

Good length on off, Pathum Nissanka cuts this to deep point for a single to close the over.

Good length wide of off, Pathum Nissanka looks to cut this one but misses out as the ball keeps a tad low.

FOUR! Sri Lanka breaches 50 inside 5 overs without losing any wickets. Pitched up, wide of off, Pathum Nissanka strides tot he pitch of it and lofts this over cover for the fourth boundary of the over.

FOUR! It is boundaries galore here. Short one again, on off, Pathum Nissanka pulls this in front of ssquare, near the mid on region for the third boundary of this over.

WIDE! Back of the hand, slower one, waide outside off. Pathum Nissanka leaves it.Wide.

FOUR! Cut away for another boundary from Pathum. Short and wide of off, Pathum Nissanka slashes hard at it, gets it in the gap towards the left of sweeper cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Another boundary for Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka are in pole position to breeze past the Chevrons. Short pitched, around leg, Pathum Nissanka gets inside the line of it and hooks this past the left of the fielder at fine leg for four more runs.

WIDE! Another extra added to the total. On a length wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka leaves it. Wided.

Good length around off, Kamil Mishara swings and misses.

Bumper, angling into the batter, Kamil Mishara goes for the hook but misses out. A loud appeal, only from the bowler as the keeper catches this. Nothing from Brendan Taylor from behind the stumps. Sikandar Raza sends this upstairs but nothing on the UltraEdge confirms the onfield decision of not out.

FOUR! That's poor from the bowler but excellent from the batter. On a length around the pads, Kamil Mishara stays leg side to this one and flicks this through the square leg region for a boundary. Kamil Mishara moves to 12 with this boundary.

On a length around middle and off, Kamil slogs this and lobs Sikandar Raza at mid-wicket for a couple.

Good length, wide of off, Kamil Mishara goes for the pull but doesn't hit this off the middle of his bat and finds the fielder at square leg.

On a length, slanting into the batter, Kamil Mishara goes for the flick but misses and gets hit on the front pad.

FOUR! Smashed away. Short pitched, around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka gets onto the front foot and pulls this flat anf through the gap at square leg for a boundary. Sri Lanka moves to 29 after 3 overs.

WIDE! On a length wide of off, Pathum Nissanka swings and misses. Wided.

Back of a length around off, Pathum Nissanka hops up on his toes and goes for the cut. Ends up chopping this offthe under edge back to the bowler.

Good length on the pads, Kamil Mishara punts this down to long on for a single.

Richard comes round the wicket, bowls a fuller one, around off, Pathum Nissanka flicks this through mid on for one.

FOUR! Pathum Nissanka is imposing himself on Richard Ngarava. Back of a length around off, Pathum Nissanka stays deep inside the crease and slaps this past the bowler, to his left for a boundary more.

FOUR! Away in the gap for a boundary. On a length, around the pads, Pathum Nissanka gets inside the line and just flicks this towardsthe right of short fine leg for a boundary.

Skiddy length ball, just outside off. Pathum Nissanka shapes to cut but the ball comes off the under-edge and he chops it toward short third for a single.

BYE! Length ball shaping away, and it stays low outside off. Mishara swings but misses. The keeper could not collect it cleanly, and that allowed the batters to steal a bye.

Short of a good length, on off. Kamil Mishara steers it toward point.

FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs! Back of a length, angled down the leg. Kamil Mishara looks to pull and misses. Taylor had no chance to stop it and this runs away to fine leg for five wides.

PEACH! Fuller than a good length, and shapes away, outside off. Kamil Mishara tries to hoick it across the line but fails to connect.

Pitched full, at the stumps. Kamil Mishara flicks it to the man at mid on.

FOUR! Maposa is greeted in style! Pitched full, on the middle and leg. Kamil Mishara flicks it through the gap at mid-wicket and finds the ropes in a flash.

Tinotenda Maposa will share the attack.

Short of a good-length delivery shaping in around leg-stump. Nissanka tries to defend but misses. The ball hits his thigh pad and rolls away behind point.

Skiddy length ball, at the stumps. Pathum Nissanka hangs back and defends from the crease.

Good length delivery on the middle. Kamil Mishara knocks it toward extra cover and scampers for a quick single.

Back of a length, around off. Kamil Mishara gets on top of the bounce and steers it to the man at cover.

Length ball at the stumps. Nissanka tucks this towards the front of the square on the leg side and takes a single.

Short of a good-length delivery angling across just outside off. Nissanka tries to get some bat on it but misses.

WIDE! Short of a good-length delivery bowled down the leg, wide called.

FOUR! A boundary to end the innings! Full-length delivery, pushed across the batter. Ryan Burl moves across and lifts it toward the deep extra cover region, and gets four runs. Zimbabwe finish on 146/5.

Slower and shorter on off. Ryan Burl pulls this toward the gap at deep mid-wicket for a couple.

FOUR! UP AND OVER! Low full toss, around off. Burl shimmies down and lifts it over the infield, toward wide of long-off for an all important boundary.

Ouch! Low full toss, around off. Burl smacked this straight back towards Musekiwa at the other end, who could not get out of the way and took a hit on his thigh.

Full-length delivery angling across outside off. Burl shuffles and tries to slog it, but misses.

Fuller delivery angling in at the stumps. Musekiwa hacks this towards long-on and takes a single.

Eshan Malinga (3-0-22-0) to bowl the final over of the innings. Can Zimbabwe go past 150? Let's find out.

Low full toss on the middle. Tashinga Musekiwa drives it to the man at extra cover and takes one.

Wide yorker from Chameera. Burl squeezes it to deep point for one.

Low full toss on off. Tashinga Musekiwa advances and drives it through extra cover for a single.

Full and at the sticks. Tashinga Musekiwa backs away and bunts it back to the bowler. Three dots in a row.

Yorker on off. Tashinga Musekiwa hangs back and jams it back to the bowler.

Yorker length delivery, angled in, and goes through the legs of Tashinga Musekiwa, close to the leg stump, and through to the keeper.

FOUR MORE! NICELY DONE! Full-length delivery outside off. Burl moves across and flicks this uppishly toward deep mid-wicket for back to back boundaries.

FOUR! MUCH NEEDED! Short ball on top of the stumps. Burl shuffles and pulls this down towards fine leg for four runs.

Yorker length delivery, outside off. Burl reaches out to squeeze this through point but does not connect.

CLEVER BOWLING! Bowls the slower bumper, banged into the pitch. Burl was expecting it to go over the head, but it does not bounce as much, and goes past the left shoulder.

Short of a good length, pushed across the batter. Ryan Burl swings across the line but does not connect.

Slower length ball, around off. Ryan Burl drives it on the up through extra cover for a couple.

Two dots to end the over. Fired in on the full, around off. Tashinga Musekiwa backs away, has a wild swing but misses.

Flatter and quicker, outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa makes room to cut but fails to connect.

On a length, outside off. Steered through the gap at point for a single.

Flatter and quicker on the pad. Tashinga Musekiwa tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up on a length, on the middle and leg. Burl works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter and quicker on off. Tashinga Musekiwa slaps it to mid off for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana (3-0-19-2) is back into the attack.

Pitched full, outside off. Ryan Burl has a big swing across the line but fails to connect.

FOUR! AGRICULTURAL BUT EFFECTIVE! Slower and shorter, around off. Ryan Burl goes hard for the slap, gets the outside edge that flies over the man at short third for a lucky boundary.

SIX! SMOKED! Back of a length, around the leg. Ryan Burl picks the length early and pulls it flat, over the long leg boundary for half a dozen.

Full, on the middle and leg. Burl flicks it hard into the gap at deep mid-wicket and gets back for the second.

Back of a length on the hip. Tashinga Musekiwa tucks it to deep square leg for one.

Slower length ball on off. Ryan Burl knocks it down to long off for one.

Flatter googly, turning into the middle and leg. Tashinga Musekiwa hangs back and nudges it to square leg. Tidy spell from Wanindu Hasaranga, who ends with two wickets.

Tossed up full, on off. Tashinga Musekiwa pushes it to the left of the bowler, who gets a hand and ricochets to the short extra cover fielder.

Flatter leg break, keeps a shade low, around off. Tashinga Musekiwa knocks it into the off-side.

Tashinga Musekiwa comes in at number 7.

OUT! TAKEN! Wanindu Hasaranga gets the Zimbabwe skipper and has the last laugh. Bowls it slower and wider outside the off-stump. Sikandar Raza advances and looks to go inside out over the covers, but gets the outside edge that flies to the man at backward point. Kusal Perera there, takes a simple catch. Zimbabwe are five down.

SIX! BOOM! Tosses it full, turning into the middle and leg. Raza dances down the pitch and smokes it over the long on boundary for a massive hit.

Shortish googly, around off. Burl knocks it to long on for one.

Full delivery outside off. Raza drives it towards deep cover and gets a couple.

LEG BYE! Slower and shorter on off. Ryan Burl is early into the pull and misses onto the pad. The ball rolls toward the backward point, and they sneak a leg bye. The backward point fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but fails to hit.

Ouch! Slower back of a length delivery angling across just outside off. Burl tries to shuffle and flick, but misses. The ball hits his body and drops onto the pitch.

Slower bumper, on the middle. Raza swivel-pulls to fine leg for one.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Short of a good length, at the top of the off-stump. Raza makes room and slaps it toward deep extra cover for a powerful boundary.

Slower and shorter, around off. Sikandar Raza looks to pull but gets the under-edge through to the keeper.

Quicker leg break, turning into the middle and leg stump line. Burl stays back, looking to whip across the line but misses and wears on the thigh pad. The ball rolls to short third but they do not run.

Full and spinning in from outside off. Burl lunges forward and flicks it to short mid wicket.

Flighted full, on the middle. Burl turns it to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up on a length, around off. Burl guides it toward short third.

Ryan Burl comes in at number 6.

OUT! HIT WICKET! An unfortunate dismissal for Brian Bennett, and Wanindu Hasaranga has the last laugh. Leg break delivery on the length that stays low at the stumps. Bennett creates room and tries to slap it away, but he ends up hitting his bat onto the stumps. The bails are knocked, and he is OUT HIT WICKET!

FOUR! HAMMERED! Tad short, outside off. Brian Bennett goes back and smashes it through extra cover for a powerful boundary.

Short of a good length, on middle. Bennett dabs it past the man at backward point, and takes one.

Slower ball on the full, on off. Raza drives this to mid off for a single.

Yorker, in the blockhole. Bennett makes room and squeezes it toward deep third for one.

Length ball angling in at the pads. Raza tucks this behind square and gets one.

WIDE! A bouncer angling in. Raza ducks under it, but the umpire calls it a wide as he feels that this was too high.

Full delivery wide outside off. Raza slashes this towards backward point but finds a fielder.

NO BALL! It was a wicket, but Eshan Malinga has overstepped, and Raza will get the free hit. Low full toss on the middle. Raza makes room, trying to clear the infield but hits it straight to Dasun Shanaka at mid off, who takes the catch. It won't count since this was a no-ball. Free hit coming up.

On a hard length, on middle. Sikandar Raza makes room and defends it back to the bowler.

LEG BYE! Back of a length, angled into the leg pole. Sikandar Raza misses the tuck and is rapped on the pad. The ball rolls to the right of the backward point for a leg bye.

FOUR MORE! LOVELY! Overpitched on the middle. Raza backs away and drives it through the gap at extra cover and mid off for a glorious boundary.

Back of a length, angled in, just outside off. Sikandar Raza looks to pull and misses.

On a good length, on off. Sikandar Raza clears the front leg and hits it on the up, over the bowler and down to long off for two more.

FOUR! STAND AND DELIVER! Short of a good length, outside off. Raza makes room and carves it toward deep extra cover region for a cracking boundary.

Skiddy short of a good length, attacking the stumps. Sikandar Raza defends from the crease.

DRINKS BREAK! This game is finely balanced, with Zimbabwe at 68/3 at the halfway stage. Brian Bennett has settled in well, while Sikandar Raza looks composed at the crease. The pair will aim to bat deep and push the total beyond 170. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have kept things tight with timely breakthroughs and will look to keep the pressure on with more regular wickets.

Back of a length, on off. Sikandar Raza rides the bounce and punches this into the gap at covers for a single.

Slower ball on a length, on off. Sikandar Raza gets on the front foot and blocks it back to the bowler.

Length ball outside off. Raza carves this towards the backward point but finds the fielder.

On a length, around off. Brian Bennett dabs it toward the deep third for a single.

BYE! A bouncer angling in at the body. Raza tries to duck-pull it but misses. The keeper fumbles the ball, and the batters steal a bye.

FOUR! GLORIOUS! Full pitcher, just outside off. Sikandar Raza drills it hard through the extra cover region and finds the ropes in a flash.

Full delivery outside off. Bennett tries to sweep it away, but gets an inside edge that deflects onto his boots.

Full on the leg stumps. Sikandar Raza sweeps it to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Length ball turning away just outside off. Raza rocks back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for four runs.

Floated full, just outside the leg stump. Sikandar Raza misses the sweep and gets rapped on the pad. The ball hits his leg and deflects onto his grill. The concussion protocol kicks in.

Looped up on the middle. Sikandar Raza gets forward, turns it to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up full, on off. Sikandar Raza prods and defends.

Back of a length, on the hip. Sikandar Raza tucks this to deep square leg for a single.

Short of a good length, around off. Dabbed toward short third for one.

Pitched full, on the middle and leg. Raza clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Sikandar Raza comes in at number 5.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Dasun Shanaka gets the big wicket of Taylor. Full-length delivery, just outside off. Taylor shuffles and tries to paddle it to fine leg but gets the inside edge, and he ends up playing the ball onto the stumps. Zimbabwe are three down.

Skiddy length ball, just outside off. Taylor dabs it to the man at backward point.

Back of a length, on middle. Bennett pulls it off the bottom of the bat toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

Dasun Shanaka (2-0-18-0) is back into the attack.

FOUR! INTO THE GAP! Flighted full, on the middle and leg. Taylor slog-sweeps it aerially and into the gap at deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a much needed boundary.

Flatter googly, on the middle and leg. Bennett knocks it down to long on for one.

Tossed up wrong'un, on a length, on the middle and leg. Taylor nudges it through the gap at square leg for a single.

Floated googly, on the full, turning into the middle and leg stump line. Brendan Taylor sits low for the sweep but misses and wears it on the pad. Appeal from the bowler and up goes the finger. Taylor takes the review. The ball tracking shows wickets missing, and the decision is changed to NOT OUT. Taylor survives.

Flatter leg break, on off. Brian Bennett reverses it toward short third for a single.

LEG BYE! Googly on the full at the pads. Taylor clips this towards short fine leg and takes a leg bye.

Full delivery just outside off. Bennett drives this towards cover but finds a fielder. Zimbabwe are 44/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

Ouch! Short of a good-length delivery shaping in on top of the stumps. Bennett waits back and tries to defend, but misses. The ball hits his right elbow and rolls past his stump to the keeper. He looks to be in pain. The physio comes to check on him. Out comes the magic spray, and he is good to go after getting some taping.

Pitched full, on off. Brian Bennett drives it to the man at mid off.

Fuller than a good length, on off. Taylor pushes it off the inner half toward mid on for one.

FOUR! LOVELY SHOT! Fuller than a good length, on off. Taylor gets forward and times it past the bowler, down the ground for a glorious boundary.

WIDE! Goes full and slanting down the leg. Brendan Taylor plays and misses. Wide given.

Full-length delivery, angled into the middle and leg stump line. Taylor looks to flick this across the line, but misses and gets pinned in front. Appeal from the bowler and up goes the finger. Brendan Taylor has a word with Bennett and sends it upstairs. The ball tracking shows it as missing the leg pole, and the decision is reversed to NOT OUT. Taylor stays on.

Dushmantha Chameera comes into the attack.

Tossed up on a length, on the middle. Taylor works this through mid-wicket and takes one. Zimbabwe are 38/2 at the end of five overs.

Flatter, around off. Brendan Taylor knocks it to the man at short extra cover.

Flighted full, drifting into the leg pole. Bennett works it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! NICELY DONE! Fuller and quicker, at the stumps. Bennett walks across the stumps, and sweeps it off the toe end, past the short fine leg fielder and runs away for a cheeky boundary.

Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Taylor works it through the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up on a length, on middle. Taylor glances it to the man at short fine leg.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! Slower length ball, on off. Brian Bennett waits for it and punches it through the gap at covers for a cracking boundary.

On a good length, pace off, just outside off. Bennett knocks it to the man at extra cover.

Fuller than a good length, on middle. Taylor pushes it down to mid on for a single.

Back of a length again, aronud off. Bennett pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single now.

SIX! BANG! Back of a length, around off. Brian Bennett picks it early and crunches the pull toward the deep mid-wicket region. Kamil Mishara covers good ground near the ropes, takes the catch, and throws it back into play, but the replay shows that he touched the boundary cushion before releasing the ball, and it has been given as a maximum.

LEG BYE! Huge appeal, but the umpire is unmoved! Good length delivery, on the middle and leg stump line. Taylor walks across the stumps, looking to tuck, but he misses, and it comes off the pad, rolls toward backward square leg for a leg bye.

Tossed up full, on off. Taylor comes forward and nudges it through the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Brendan Taylor walks in at number 4.

OUT! TIMBER! Maheesh Theekshana picks up his second wicket! Flatter delivery, angled into the middle and spins away late to beat the outside edge of Myers and hit the top of the stumps. Dion Myers is outfoxed completely and has to make the long walk back into the pavilion. Zimbabwe are two down.

Floated full, on off. Brian Bennett pushes it toward the man at long on for one more.

Fuller and quicker at the stumps, driven down to long on for a single.

FOUR! PUT AWAY! Tossed up on a length, outside off. Dion Myers slices the drive through the gap at point, and finds the ropes in a flash.

Tossed up full, attacking the stumps. Dion Myers makes room and bunts back to the bowler.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! Fuller than a good length, on off. Brian Bennett makes room, drives it on the up and beats the diving mid off fielder for a cracking boundary.

On a length, on the leg. Dion Myers works it to deep square leg for a single.

Good-length delivery on off. Dion Myers gets on the front foot and defends.

Fuller than a length, on off. Driven toward the man at mid off for a single.

Skiddy length ball, seams back into the leg pole. Brian Bennett plays all around it, hits the thigh pad and rolls to the keeper.

Short of a good length, on the middle and leg. Brian Bennett tucks it to the man at short mid-wicket.

Captain Dasun Shanaka will share the attack for Sri Lanka.

Flatter and quicker, drifting back into the middle. Dion Myers stays back and blocks from the crease.

Dion Myers comes in at number 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Maheesh Theekshana draws first blood! Flatter and quicker delivery, angles in with the arm, attacking the stumps. Tadiwanashe Marumani prods to defend but plays the wrong line and leaves a big gap between the bat and the pad. The ball sneaks through the gate and crashes into the stumps. Zimbabwe are rocked early.

FOUR! LUCKY! Leading edge that lands safely! Tossed up full, on off. Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to work it across the line, gets the leading edge that flies past the left of the backward point fielder, and rolls away to the ropes for a first boundary of the game.

On a length, on off. Tadiwanashe Marumani stays back and defends from the crease.

Zimbabwe are away! Flatter again, drifting into the middle and leg. Brian Bennett works it through the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter delivery, sliding into the middle. Brian Bennett stays back and knocks it to the short extra cover fielder.

All set now. The teams and the umpires make their way out to the ground. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani stride out to open the innings for Zimbabwe. It will be Maheesh Theekshana with the ball for Sri Lanka. We are moments away from the live action.

Ryan Burl is up for a chat. He says he enjoyed the knock against Pakistan, appreciating the time spent in the middle and the chance to get a few runs away. He adds that today's game is crucial, and the team is treating it like a semi-final. He shares that they want to stick to their processes and put their best foot forward. Burl notes that every game brings its own challenges, and it’s all about learning and adapting. He mentions that his role is to bat in the middle order, but if the team has a strong power play, he may be pushed up the order.

PITCH REPORT - Urooj Mumtaz and Bazid Khan are pitchside with their assessment. Bazid notes that while the surface isn’t the easiest to bat on, it’s gradually returning to the typical Pindi character. He mentions the possibility of dew later in the evening and warns that this isn’t a pitch where batters can aim for 180 from the very first ball. Instead, they’ll need to take their time, assess conditions, and build their innings. Urooj agrees, emphasizing that reading the conditions early will be crucial. She suggests that teams should initially target something in the range of 150–160, and if they settle well, they could push the score beyond 180.

Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka says he would have chosen to bowl first anyway. He explains that they are going in with seven batters and that their game plan is clear. He adds that in a must-win match like this, they need to sharpen every aspect of their game. Shanaka acknowledges the mistakes they have made throughout the tournament and stresses the importance of learning quickly and executing better. He concludes by noting that they have made two changes with Pavan Rathnayake and Maheesh Theekshana coming in for Kamindu Mendis and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.

Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s skipper, wins the toss and elects to bat first. He says the pitch looks good, a typical Pindi wicket, and notes that dew later on could make the surface tacky and scoring more difficult. He adds that Zimbabwe have made one change with Dion Myers coming in for Tony Munyonga.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(WK), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka(C), Pavan Rathnayake (ON T20I DEBUT - comes in for Kamindu Mendis), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana (in for Vijayakanth Viyaskanth), Eshan Malinga.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor(WK), Sikandar Raza(C), Ryan Burl, Dion Myers (in for Tony Munyonga), Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava.

TOSS - Zimbabwe have won the toss and opted to BAT.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are recovering from a hefty 69-run loss to Pakistan. Their bowlers conceded more than 190 despite tidy spells from Sikandar Raza and Wellington Masakadza. The chase never really got going, with Ryan Burl’s fighting 67 off 49 being the lone highlight as the Chevrons were bowled out for 126 in 19 overs. It’s a tough challenge ahead, but Zimbabwe will remember their earlier triumph over Sri Lanka and aim to repeat that performance. So, who are you backing in this crunch clash for both teams? The toss and team news are coming up shortly. Stay tuned!

Sri Lanka have been nowhere near their best so far. They are coming off a seven-wicket defeat to Pakistan, where their batting faltered once again. Setting a target of just 128, only Janith Liyanage stood out with an unbeaten 41, while the rest struggled to gain momentum. Their bowlers couldn’t apply pressure either, managing only three wickets as Pakistan chased the total with almost five overs to spare. The Lankans will need to rediscover their rhythm quickly to keep their tournament hopes alive. 

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the T20I Tri-Series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. It’s time for Match 5, where Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka are still searching for their first win after two outings and now find themselves in a must-win situation. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have one win from their three games and will draw confidence from their commanding 67-run victory over Sri Lanka earlier in the series. 

…MATCHDAY…

Rawalpindi is serving up the perfect script for a high-stakes do-or-die thriller. The scenario is crystal clear. Pakistan has already punched their ticket to the finale, so they get to watch the chaos from the VIP seats. That leaves Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka to scrap for the last breath of oxygen in this tournament. Zimbabwe getting steamrolled by the hosts is the solitary reason the Islanders are even alive in the series right now. But we have to be real about the Islanders because they have looked rattled. Their first two matches were a total train wreck. Pakistan handed them a beating, but that was a love tap compared to the stinging blow against Zimbabwe. Crumbling for just 95 in a chase is the kind of performance that haunts a dressing room. But there’s barely any time, and they have to shake off the rust immediately or watch their campaign fade into the dark. They shuffled the deck against Pakistan by throwing Kamil Mishara into the fire up top, where he did provide a decent start. Janith Liyanage stepped in to plug the gaps in the middle and finally gave the lineup some spine. But getting starts means absolutely nothing if you don't finish the job. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have been ghosting through this series so far. If those two big guns actually start firing, it takes the heat off everyone else instantly. Nissanka has been carrying the batting unit on his back all year with 635 runs, but the gap between him and the rest of the pack is alarming. The bowling attack feels just as thin. Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera show flashes of brilliance, but they cannot do it all alone. Maheesh Theekshana sat out the last round, but with the pitch slowing down, his bag of tricks might be the exact wildcard they need to survive. Zimbabwe will be kicking themselves over that last loss. It was a match defined by what-ifs and missed chances. A decent shift from the top order, and they could have definitely pushed Pakistan to the brink once more. Ryan Burl put on a determined show in the middle order with a gritty 67, but he was essentially fighting a lone war. The batting unit's supposed strength, the top four, just folded without much resistance. Worse yet, those wickets fell off some incredibly ordinary batting errors against Pakistan. On a pitch that is looking increasingly tiring, the lack of collective adaptation was the real killer. Zimbabwe's bowling unit completely failed to get the message. They desperately needed clever variations, but the spinners kept firing them in either too quickly or far too flat. Brad Evans, who has been their most dependable weapon this series, was also taken on an expensive tour of the park by the opposition. In fact, the whole bowling attack met the same fate. Zimbabwe needs to rewind the tape and remember exactly how they dismantled the Lankans just days ago. That blueprint will play a huge role in punching their ticket to the final. The Islanders, meanwhile, are sprinting to catch up. They do not just need a win to get their first two points, but they also need a massive statement to even get back into the conversation for the finale. This entire high-stakes battle ultimately comes down to one thing. Who will be sharp enough to adapt to these grinding conditions? It’s a massive game and is shaping up to be a sure-shot thriller.