🔥 Zimbabwe Destroy Sri Lanka by 67 Runs in Rawalpindi
The Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 witnessed its first major shockwave as Zimbabwe bulldozed Sri Lanka by 67 runs, defending a competitive 162/8 and skittling Sri Lanka for a mere 95 all out.
This was not just a “win.”
It was a statement, a warning, and a reminder that Zimbabwe, under Sikandar Raza’s aggressive leadership, can punish any side that underestimates them.
The Rawalpindi crowd didn’t expect the game to end this one-sided — but Zimbabwe came with a plan, executed it with conviction, and delivered one of their most dominant T20I performances in recent years.
🏏 Match Overview: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Highlights Won by 67 Runs
Zimbabwe’s innings was built on grit, acceleration at the right moments, and Raza’s tactical brilliance.
Sri Lanka’s reply?
A complete collapse — early wickets, panic, poor shot selection, and zero backbone.
Let’s break it all down.
🇿🇼🧨 Zimbabwe Batting: Bennett & Raza Lead the Charge
Zimbabwe posted 162/8 — a total that looked competitive but not impossible.
Yet, the way Sri Lanka batted, it suddenly looked like 320.
⭐ Brian Bennett – 49 (42)
A near-fifty that anchored Zimbabwe’s innings.
Bennett mixed caution with controlled aggression, striking 5 boundaries and keeping the scoreboard alive even when wickets fell around him.
His knock set the platform Zimbabwe desperately needed.
⭐ Sikandar Raza – 47 (32)
The heartbeat of Zimbabwe.
The visionary.
The leader.
Raza’s 47 off 32 was pure class — 3 boundaries, 2 sixes, and a strike rate near 150.
Every time the innings slowed, he accelerated. Every time Sri Lanka tried controlling him, he broke the shackles.
This was the innings that changed the match's tone.
Other important contributions:
- Ryan Burl – 18 (11) – quick fire
- Musekiwa – 11 (7) – valuable cameo
- Taylor – 11 (9) – early momentum
The total was defendable
But how Zimbabwe defended it shocked everyone.
🇱🇰💥 Sri Lanka Batting Collapse: A Total Disaster
Chasing 163, Sri Lanka started their innings as if they were chasing 263.
Panic, confusion, reckless aggression — everything went wrong.
🩸 Early Collapse:
- 1/1 – Pathum Nissanka out for 0
- 6/2 – Kusal Perera gone
- 25/3 – Kusal Mendis run out
- 29/4 – Rajapaksa bowled
At this point, Sri Lanka were drowning.
And Zimbabwe smelled blood.
⭐ Shanaka – 34 (25)
The only Sri Lankan batter who put up a fight.
He smashed 2 fours and 2 sixes, tried rebuilding, and attempted counterattacks — but lack of partners killed any hope.
⚠️ Rest of the lineup:
- Kamindu – 9
- Hasaranga – 8
- Theekshana – 8
- Malinga – 1
- Chameera – 1
- Nissanka – 0
Sri Lanka folded for 95, their worst performance of the series.
🇿🇼💣 Zimbabwe Bowling: Ruthless, Disciplined & Tactical
If Sri Lanka’s batting collapse was a disaster, Zimbabwe’s bowling was a masterpiece.
⭐ Brad Evans – 3/9 (4 overs)
This spell shattered Sri Lanka.
3 wickets, only 9 runs, and 16 dot balls.
Evans bowled like a seasoned assassin — full control, clever changes of pace, and perfect lengths.
⭐ Richard Ngarava – 2/15
Ngarava removed Nissanka early and choked Sri Lanka with accurate lines.
A 4-over spell that broke the top order and helped set the tone.
⭐ Cremer – 1/17
The veteran leg-spinner returned with precision, flight, and confidence.
⭐ Sikandar Raza – 1/23
Not as flashy as his batting, but his key wicket (Kamindu Mendis) broke Sri Lanka’s middle-order backbone.
⭐ Burl – 1/8
Got Shanaka — the last real threat.
This was a complete team bowling performance — discipline, intelligence, and perfect execution.
📊 Turning Points of the Match
🎯 1. Nissanka’s Golden Duck
Starting your chase with a wicket in the first over destroys rhythm.
Sri Lanka never recovered from this blow.
🎯 2. Bennett & Raza Partnership
When Zimbabwe seemed stuck at 40/2, their partnership took the game back.
🎯 3. Brad Evans’ Magical Spell
3/9 in T20Is is match-winning in any conditions.
🎯 4. Shanaka’s Wicket
At 75/5, Sri Lanka still had hope with their captain looking dangerous.
Once he fell, the match was sealed.
🎯 5. Sri Lanka’s Run-Out Chaos
Lack of communication and panic completely derailed the chase.
🧠 Tactical Breakdown: Why Zimbabwe Won Big
🟩 Zimbabwe Outclassed Sri Lanka in Every Department
They didn’t just win — they dominated.
1️⃣ Better Powerplay Management
Zimbabwe scored quickly without losing wickets.
Sri Lanka lost 3 wickets in the first 6 overs.
2️⃣ Superior Middle-Overs Game
Raza & Bennett rotated strike intelligently.
Sri Lanka played rash shots.
3️⃣ Bowling Execution
Evans, Ngarava & Cremer applied pressure consistently.
4️⃣ Fielding Brilliance
The run-outs were a result of pressure + sharp fielding.
5️⃣ Leadership
Raza’s calm yet aggressive captaincy was miles ahead of Sri Lanka’s decision-making.
🏆 Zimbabwe’s Victory: Historical Significance
This win matters because:
- It boosts Zimbabwe’s chances in the Tri-Series
- It increases pressure on Sri Lanka
- It sets up Zimbabwe vs Pakistan as a crucial match
- It reminds world cricket that Zimbabwe is no longer a walkover
- Raza’s leadership era is shaping into something special
This isn’t an upset.
It’s evolution.
🔥 Sri Lanka’s Concerns After This Loss
Sri Lanka’s issues are deep and concerning:
❌ 1. Top Order Failure
Nissanka, Perera, Kusal Mendis — all out cheaply.
❌ 2. Poor Shot Selection
No batter showed patience.
❌ 3. Weak Middle Order
No rescue act, no rotation, no stability.
❌ 4. Lack of Adaptation
Sri Lanka treated Rawalpindi like Colombo — wrong approach.
❌ 5. No Partnership Building
Highest partnership was only 23 runs.
If Sri Lanka want to survive this tri-series, they must fix their intent, game awareness, and confidence.
📈 Pakistan T20I Tri-Series: Updated Points Table
After this match:
- Zimbabwe – 2 pts (W, L)
- Pakistan – 2 pts (W)
- Sri Lanka – 0 pts (L)
Zimbabwe now challenge Pakistan next, and the stakes have doubled.
🌍 What This Result Means for the Tournament
For Pakistan:
Zimbabwe looks dangerous. Pakistan must not take them lightly.
For Sri Lanka:
They must beat Pakistan AND Zimbabwe to stay alive.
For Zimbabwe:
A realistic chance at reaching the Final.
This result transforms the tournament narrative — suddenly, every match matters.
📝 Cricketory Insights & Analysis: The Real Story Beneath the Scoreboard
At Cricketory, we look beyond the scorecard.
This match wasn’t about stats — it was about mentality.
🧩 1. Zimbabwe Showed Big-Match Mentality
They walked onto the field believing they could beat anyone.
And they did.
🧩 2. Sri Lanka Played Without Purpose
There was no urgency, no calculation, no strategy.
🧩 3. Sikandar Raza Is Becoming a Global Icon
Raza is the soul of Zimbabwe cricket.
His leadership decisions were perfect — from bowling changes to field placements.
🧩 4. Young Zimbabwe Players Are Rising
Bennett, Evans, Maposa — all showed maturity beyond their age.
🧩 5. Sri Lanka Must Reinvent Their T20 Approach
They rely too much on past reputations.
T20 cricket punishes hesitation — and Sri Lanka hesitated from ball one.
Cricketory’s verdict:
Zimbabwe didn’t cause an upset — they exposed Sri Lanka.
❓ FAQs
1️⃣ Was this Zimbabwe’s biggest win against Sri Lanka?
A: It ranks among their biggest T20I wins, especially margin-wise and context-wise.
2️⃣ How important was Brad Evans’ spell?
A: Crucial. His 3/9 shattered Sri Lanka’s chase and mentally broke their lineup.
3️⃣ Who is responsible for Sri Lanka’s poor performance?
A: The entire batting lineup failed collectively. Early wickets and panic cost them the match.
4️⃣ Can Zimbabwe reach the tri-series final?
A: Absolutely — this win massively boosts their chances.
5️⃣ What went wrong for Sri Lanka in the chase?
A: Poor shot selection, weak partnerships, early wickets, and zero adaptability.
🏁 Final Word
Zimbabwe walked into Rawalpindi as underdogs.
They walked out as giant killers.
With a 67-run demolition of Sri Lanka, the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 has been shaken — and Zimbabwe now look like a team capable of defeating Pakistan too.
This wasn’t just a cricket match.
It was a statement of intent.