Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the second T20I of the three-match series in Harare. Sri Lanka suffered a shocking batting collapse, crashing to their second-lowest T20I total of just 80 runs inside 18 overs. Zimbabwe’s bowlers dominated, with Sikandar Raza, Brad Evans, and Blessing Muzarabani sharing eight wickets between them.
At no stage did Sri Lanka build any momentum. Their best partnership was a 26-run stand for the sixth wicket, but it was slow and filled with close calls.
In response, Zimbabwe also struggled early but showed more composure. Tashinga Musekiwa’s confident 21 not out off 12 balls guided the hosts to an easy win, sealing victory in just 15 overs.
Zimbabwe Seize Control Early
Zimbabwe’s new-ball bowlers ripped through Sri Lanka’s top order. Muzarabani struck first, finishing his two-over spell with 2 for 10. Evans matched him with 2 for 14.
By the end of the powerplay, Sri Lanka were 37 for 4, leaving their lower-middle order with an impossible task.
Muzarabani’s first wicket came off a poor delivery. After being expensive in the previous match, he bowled a wide bouncer that Kusal Mendis tried to punish, only to edge it high to deep third.
From there, he returned to his sharp ODI form. In the fifth over, Nuwanidu Fernando mistimed a shot and was caught at mid-off. Muzarabani allowed just two boundaries during his opening burst.
Meanwhile, Evans made a major impact. He dismissed Pathum Nissanka with a short ball on the pads that went straight to deep square leg. Soon after, he sent Kamil Mishara’s stumps flying with a yorker.
Evans later came back to finish the innings, having Maheesh Theekshana caught at cover. Muzarabani ended with 2 for 14, while Evans topped the charts with 3 for 15.
Raza Wrecks Sri Lanka’s Middle Order
With Sri Lanka’s top order in ruins, the stage was set for Sikandar Raza to take control.
The batters played cautiously, but Raza’s disciplined bowling gave them no scoring opportunities. Remarkably, he did not concede a single boundary in his entire four-over spell.
He struck early, removing the dangerous Kamindu Mendis for a fourth-ball duck. Then, in his third over, he ripped through the middle order by dismissing Charith Asalanka and Dushmantha Chameera within three balls.
Raza finished with 3 for 11, earning the Player of the Match award for his decisive spell.
Chameera Fights Back but Zimbabwe Hold Firm
Defending just 80 runs was always going to be a near-impossible task, but Dushmantha Chameera gave Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.
He struck early, bowling with pace and precision. Tadiwanashe Marumani and Sean Williams were beaten by his speed, with Williams’ off stump knocked out of the ground.
Chameera then dismissed Raza, who dragged a delivery onto his stumps. He could have had a fourth wicket, but Asalanka dropped a sharp chance off Musekiwa at short midwicket.
Despite his efforts, Zimbabwe chased down the target comfortably. Musekiwa’s unbeaten knock ensured there were no late dramas, sealing a commanding victory for the hosts.