ZIM vs SL 1st T20 Match Preview: Zimbabwe will face Sri Lanka in the 1st T20 match of the Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe 2025 at the Harare Sports Club, Harare. After a closely fought ODI series where Sri Lanka edged out Zimbabwe 2-0 with narrow wins, both teams now shift their focus to the shortest format. Zimbabwe will look to bounce back in front of their home crowd, while Sri Lanka will aim to continue their dominance and secure another series victory. Here’s a detailed preview of the ZIM vs SL 1st T20 Match 2025, including the date, venue, team news, pitch report, key players, weather, and a winning prediction.
Match Details – ZIM vs SL, 1st T20 Match, 2025
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20 Match |
| Date | 3rd September 2025 |
| Time | 17:00 IST |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| Live Streaming | FanCode |
| Format | T20 |
ZIM vs SL 1st T20 Match Preview and Team Analysis
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe showed resilience in the ODI series and will now look to play with a fearless approach in T20Is. Their main challenge has been inconsistent batting, with only a few players standing out in recent matches.
Sikandar Raza, the captain and talisman, will once again be the most important figure with both bat and ball. Ben Curran and Brian Bennett add stability at the top, while Ryan Burl and Tony Munyonga provide firepower in the middle order.
With the ball, Richard Ngarava remains the strike bowler, supported by Wellington Masakadza’s spin. Zimbabwe will need early wickets to put pressure on Sri Lanka.
Key Players: Sikandar Raza, Ben Curran, Ryan Burl, Richard Ngarava
Predicted XI (ZIM): Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Clive Madande (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is full of confidence after winning the ODI series 2-0, with Pathum Nissanka in scintillating form. He scored 198 runs in two matches and will again be the danger man at the top of the order.
Captain Charith Asalanka and experienced batter Kusal Mendis will control the middle order, while all-rounders like Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne provide balance.
In the bowling department, spin duo Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage are expected to play a key role, supported by pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana.
Key Players: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Maheesh Theekshana
Predicted XI (SL): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
ZIM vs SL: Pitch and Weather Report
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
Surface: Balanced surface, with assistance for both batters and bowlers.
Batting Conditions: Moderate scoring, par score expected to be around 300+.
Pace Bowling: Early swing and bounce with the new ball.
Spin Bowling: Decent turn as the match progresses.
Toss Prediction: Both captains are likely to bat first as the pitch tends to slow down later in the day.
Weather Forecast – Harare
A pleasant day is expected in Harare with temperatures reaching the high 20s. Clear skies and no rain ensure uninterrupted play.
| Time | Temp | Rain | Wind | Cloud Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 PM | 28°C | 0% | 6 km/h | Sunny |
| 03 PM | 26°C | 0% | 5 km/h | Clear |
| 06 PM | 19°C | 0% | 4 km/h | Clear |
It will be a warm day in Harare with plenty of sunshine. Conditions will favour batting, but bowlers will get some movement early on.
ZIM vs SL Match Prediction: Who Will 1st T20I of the Series
Zimbabwe will look to use home advantage, but their inconsistency in T20 cricket remains a concern. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has more in-form players, especially Pathum Nissanka and a stronger bowling unit.
Prediction: Sri Lanka to beat Zimbabwe and take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series.
Read Also: ZIM vs SL 1st T20 Match 2025 Playing XI
