@Kamil Mishara playing a shot during his 73 run innings vs Zimbabwe at Harare 2025
On September 7, 2025, at Harare Sports Club, Sri Lanka produced a masterpiece act to beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in the third and final T2OI of the series, and in the process, claiming a series 2-1. Under sunny conditions with a temperature of 28C, Sri Lanka batting and disciplined bowling was on display and the star of the game was the Kamil Mishara who scored an unbeaten 73 to be awarded the Player of the Match. Dushmantha Chameera was awarded the Player of the Series after he took 8 wickets in the series, during the three matches. This is a detailed report that explores the highlights, performances and tactics of the match based on detailed scorecard and commentary.
Match Overview:The first to bat, Zimbabwe, who had lost the toss to Sri Lanka and opted to take the field, made a competitive score of 191/8, thanks to Tadiwanashe Marumani (51) and Sikandar Raza (28) and Ryan Burl (26). The Sri Lankan bowlers, headed by 3/38 by Dushan Hemantha and 2/33 by Chameera, kept the score down even though Zimbabwean batting was good. In reply, Sri Lanka overtook the 192-run mark in only 17.4 overs, to close at 193/2, driven by an unbeaten 117-run stand between Kamil Mishara (73* off 43) and Kusal Perera (46 off 26). The win demonstrated the strength and versatility of Sri Lanka because they lost the second T20I and how they could recover.
Zimbabwe's Innings: A Competitive Total
The innings of Zimbabwe commenced on a vigorous note where it stood at 58/1 at the close of the powerplay (overs 1-6). Brian Bennett began sharply with 13 off 8 balls and was then caught in the 2.3 rd over by Chameera (caught by Kusal Perera in the short midwicket). Sean Williams (23 off 11) gave a brisk cameo, but when his dismissal in the 6.5th over, by being caught at long-off off Hemantha, occurred,retarded a trifle. The third-wicket stand between Marumani and captain Sikandar Raza contributed 56 run, with Marumani leading the inside with a 51 that had 44 balls and 6 fours and a six. A top-edged reverse sweep by Raza, to short third on the 12.5 th over, brought a tactical victory to the field placements of Sri Lanka and the persistence of Hemantha.
Ryan Burl, with 26 off 15 that included two sixes and Tashinga Musekiwa with 18 off 11 maintained the scoring rate of Zimbabwe at over 9 runs per over. Nonetheless, the bowlers of Sri Lanka hit at the right time. A pinpoint yorker by Chameera sent Burl back in the 18.1st over and Binura Fernando was the player who trapped Musekiwa lbw in the 17.1st over. Kusal Mendis had a run-out that took the life of Tinotenda Maposa (1 off 1) and Matheesha Pathirana had awarded the wicket to Brad Evans (2 off 3) by making a full delivery. Zimbabwe was completed as 191/8 with Tony Munyonga (13 off 9) and Richard Ngarava (4 off 1) adding on the late runs. The best bowling performances were the 3/38 of Hemantha and 2/33 of Chameera and the economical 3 overs at 19 by Charith Asalanka gave much needed control.
Sri Lanka's Chase : Mishara and Perera take over
A blistering powerplay started the chase with 67/1 by the 6 th over of Sri Lanka. The expression of openers Pathum Nissanka (33 off 20) and Kusal Mendis (30 off 17) opened off a 58-run partnership in 5.2 overs. Mendis, violent, had 3 fours and a six, was caught by Brad Evans, at mid-off. The next over saw Nissanka bowled by Raza who scored 33 and Sri Lanka was at 76/2. There, Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera got the reins and pieced together an undefeated 117 run partnership on 63 balls to steer Sri Lanka to victory with 14 balls to spare.
The 73/43 of balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes was a lesson in disciplined aggression by Mishara. Cut shot (18) and cover drive were very useful with him making a control percentage of 88. Perera, who had been smacking 46 out of 26 (4 fours, 2 sixes), was the complement of Mishara with a strike rate of 176.92, his flick shot had brought 11 runs. The pair had also sustained a partnership run rate of 11.14 which was good in countersacting the bowling attack by Zimbabwe. Richard Ngarava (0/42 in 3.4 overs) and Blessing Muzarabani (0/43 in 3 overs) did not perform well in matters of economy rates at 11.45 and 14.33 respectively, but Raza performed the most disciplined effort by Zimbabwe with 1/29 in 4 overs.
The 73/43 of balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes was a lesson in disciplined aggression by Mishara. Cut shot (18) and cover drive were very useful with him making a control percentage of 88. Perera, who had been smacking 46 out of 26 (4 fours, 2 sixes), was the complement of Mishara with a strike rate of 176.92, his flick shot had brought 11 runs. The pair had also sustained a partnership run rate of 11.14 which was good in countersacting the bowling attack by Zimbabwe. Richard Ngarava (0/42 in 3.4 overs) and Blessing Muzarabani (0/43 in 3 overs) did not perform well in matters of economy rates at 11.45 and 14.33 respectively, but Raza performed the most disciplined effort by Zimbabwe with 1/29 in 4 overs.
Key Performance and Turning Points:
- Kamil Mishara (Player of the Match): It was Mishara with his 73 unbeaten that has formed the backbone of the chase by Sri Lanka. He was able to create openings and a high strike rate when under pressure which gave him the edge. After the match, he praised his coaching staff who motivated him to play his normal game by saying, it is an honor to win a game on behalf of his country. It was a pressure but I simply wanted to get into my rhythm.
- Dushmantha Chameera (Player of the Series): Chameera appeared to demonstrate his worthiness as a strike bowler, with 8 wickets throughout the series, 2 of them in this game (2/33).It was vital in his capacity to perform during crises especially in the death overs. He commented, I am very pleased with the victory and series. We now have a good lot of fast bowlers.
- Zimbabawe's Batting Performance: Marumani had 51 and Raza and Burl contributed to provide Zimbabwe with a fighting total. Raza thought, 191 was very good on that wicket, but Sri Lanka batted very well.
- Turning Point: The dismissal of Raza in the 12.5th over shattered the momentum of Zimbabwe as they could not go beyond 200. The Mishara- Perera partnership in the chase meant that Sri Lanka kept the run rate high such that the target was met with plenty of overs to spare.
Strategic Insights:
Sri Lanka decision to choose bowl first by captain Charith Asalanka was on the basis of exploiting the bigger boundary and exploiting gaps to limit the score of the Zimbabwean team.The emphasis of Asalanka on the reduction of boundaries (Zimbabwe 21 fours, 5 sixes) and the total score to less than 200 worked out. The bowlers in Sri Lanka adopted this variation such as the yorkers and slower balls to deal with the aggressive batting of Zimbabwe, and Hemantha rotating balls came to play in the middle overs.
Sri Lankas aggressive use of powerplay in the chase provided the opening up, with Mendis and Nissanka taking advantage of loose deliveries. The plan of the team to focus towards the other side of the field and run hard between the wickets as explained by Asalanka was accomplished flawlessly by Mishara and Perera. This was the case with Zimbabwe where the batting performance was strong without any variation in bowling with Ngarava and Muzarabani being costly. Raza acknowledged, “Credit to their credit Sri Lanka batted well.
Match Context and Series Outcome:
This was the decider in the series which was in a draw (1-1) following a 5-wicket victory by Zimbabwe in the second T20I. Their resilience following the defeat in the previous campaign was evidenced by the fact that Sri Lanka was able to pursue 192 which was an unusual feat at Harare. Asalanka remarked, it is not an easy task after yesterday to chase more than 190. Our pitch was fine during our powerplay and we are pleased with our character. The win prepares Sri Lanka well to the future Asia Cup although Zimbabwe though they lost the match fought back and will now consider as regrouping to face Namibia in their next series.
Match Details
- Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Date: September 7, 2025
- Toss: bowl to Sri Lanka, chosen to field.
- Umpires: Iknow Chabi, Forster Mutizwa.
- TV Umpire: Percival Sizara
- Reserve Umpire: Langton Rusere.
- Match Referee: Jeff Crowe
- Series Result: Sri Lanka won 2-1
Conclusion:
Their batting depth and their bowling discipline showed through their 8 wicket victory in the 3 rd T20I. The defining knock of the match was Kamil Mishara, and the series-long brilliance of Dushmantha Chameera, and the competitive overall score of Zimbabwe was their potential. The game, which was proper end to a high-voltage series, highlighted the capability of Sri Lanka to rise to the occasion and the future campaigns of the country were given a good start.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 191/8 of 20 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 51, Sikandar Raza 28; Dushan Hemantha 3-38, Dushmantha Chameera 2-33) lost to Sri Lanka 193/2 of 17.4 overs (Kamil Mishara 73*, Kusal Perera 46*; Brad Evans 1-28, Sikandar Raza 1-29) by 8 Runs