RAWALPINDI: Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in the key Pakistan-hosted T20I tri-series fixture at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza said conditions favoured setting a total under lights. “There’s a hint of dew and it’s going to get a bit tackier, so batting first is the best chance to score runs,” he remarked at the toss.
Head-to-Head
Sri Lanka enter the contest with a superior overall record, having won seven of their 10 T20I meetings, while Zimbabwe have claimed three victories.
The two sides last met in a bilateral series in September, where Sri Lanka secured a 2-1 series win on Zimbabwean soil.
Matches: 10
Sri Lanka: 7
Zimbabwe: 3
Both teams come into the contest with inconsistent form, though Zimbabwe carry a psychological edge after defeating Sri Lanka earlier in this tri-series — their only win in their last five T20Is.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, remain under pressure as they look to end a five-match losing streak that began at the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.
Zimbabwe: L, W, L, L, L (most recent first)
Sri Lanka: L, L, L, L, L
Tri-series standings
Zimbabwe currently sit second on the table with two points from three matches, while Sri Lanka find themselves at the bottom with two losses from two games.
Zimbabwe Playing XI
Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor (w), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava.
Sri Lanka Playing XI
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (w), Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga.
