24
Nov,2025
When Zimbabwe bowled out Sri Lanka for just 95 in a T20I match, it wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. On Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Zimbabwe delivered one of their most dominant performances in recent T20I history, defeating Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the second match of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025-26Rawalpindi. The result was as shocking as it was decisive: Sri Lanka, a Full Member nation, failed to reach triple digits for the first time against Zimbabwe in T20I cricket. And it wasn’t a fluke—it was a masterclass in pressure bowling.
A Batting Performance That Got the Job Done
Zimbabwe didn’t set the scoreboard on fire. Their 162 for 8 was modest, even pedestrian by modern T20 standards. But it was enough. And it was built on grit. Ryan Murray Bennett cracked 49 off 41 balls, mixing power with patience. His captain, Sikandar Raza, chipped in with a crucial 47 off 40, anchoring the middle overs with calm authority. Their 61-run stand off 44 balls was the backbone of the innings. No one else crossed 15. But that’s the thing about Zimbabwe cricket lately—they don’t need fireworks. They need structure. And they got it.
What made it work? Discipline. No wild swings. No reckless abandon. Just smart, situational cricket. They knew Sri Lanka’s attack was leaky but dangerous. So they punished the full tosses, left the wide ones, and kept the strike rotating. It wasn’t pretty. But it was effective.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Meltdown
Then came the collapse. Sri Lanka’s innings was a textbook case of how not to chase a modest total. Dasun Shanaka, their captain, top-scored with 34 off 25—by far their best effort. But the rest? Chaos. Pathum Nissanka was out for a duck off five balls. BKG Mendis ran himself out for 6. M Theekshana, E Malinga, PVD Chameera—all gone before they could settle. The scoreboard read 52 for five when Kamindu Mendis fell. Then 89 for nine when Isan Malinga was dismissed. By the time N Thushara was the last man standing, Sri Lanka had been outplayed in every department.
It was Richard Evans who ripped through the heart of the lineup. Three wickets for nine runs in his four overs. That’s not just good—it’s terrifying. His first over: a yorker, a leg-side swipe, a thin edge. Three wickets. No runs. The crowd fell silent. Even the PCB commentators, usually measured, called it "superb" in their highlights transcript.
And then there was Richard Ngarava. Two wickets, 15 runs. He didn’t need to be flashy. He just kept it tight, angled it in, and let the pressure build. Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s lone bright spot with 3-32, was left looking like a man holding back a flood with his bare hands.
A Turnaround After Heartbreak
This win was Zimbabwe’s redemption arc. Just two days earlier, on November 18, they’d lost to Pakistan in the tournament opener—by one wicket, with the final ball still to come. The disappointment was palpable. Players sat on the field for minutes after the match, heads down. Fans wondered if they’d crumble under pressure again.
They didn’t. Instead, they responded with the kind of resilience that defines great teams. Raza, in post-match comments, said: "We wanted to cross the line. We wanted to get on that victory lap. And we’ve done it in some style." That line wasn’t just a quote. It was a declaration.
A Streak That Won’t End
For Sri Lanka, this was their fourth straight defeat in Pakistan. Three ODIs. One T20I. No wins. No momentum. No confidence. Their last T20I win against Zimbabwe? Back in January 2024. Since then, Zimbabwe have won two of the last three meetings, including a narrow 84-80 win on September 6, 2025. The tide has turned. And this loss? It wasn’t just a defeat. It was a reckoning.
Sri Lanka’s lowest T20I total against Zimbabwe? 95. The previous low? 104, back in 2021. Now, they’ve been bowled out for less than a hundred—on a pitch that offered no help to the bowlers. That’s not bad luck. That’s a systemic failure.
What’s Next?
The tri-series continues. Pakistan, still unbeaten, will face Sri Lanka next. Zimbabwe, now with a win under their belt, will face Pakistan again on November 23. But this match changed everything. Zimbabwe now have momentum. Sri Lanka? They’re searching for answers. And the cricket world is watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sri Lanka’s score of 95 so significant?
It was Sri Lanka’s lowest-ever T20I total against Zimbabwe, breaking their previous low of 104 set in 2021. It also marked their fourth consecutive loss in Pakistan across formats this month, highlighting a troubling trend of batting fragility under pressure. No Full Member nation has been bowled out for under 100 in a T20I against Zimbabwe since 2018.
How did Richard Evans manage 3 wickets for just 9 runs?
Evans used subtle variations in pace and length, mixing slower balls with sharp yorkers. His first over included a leg-side swipe, a thin edge, and a clean bowled—three wickets without conceding a run. He targeted the stumps and forced Sri Lanka’s middle order into risky shots. His economy rate of 2.25 was the best among all bowlers in the match.
What’s the historical context between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in T20Is?
In their last five T20I meetings, Sri Lanka had won three, including a 193-191 victory on September 7, 2025. But Zimbabwe’s two wins—on September 6, 2025 (84-80) and January 16, 2024 (178-173)—show a clear shift in momentum. This 67-run win is Zimbabwe’s largest margin of victory over Sri Lanka in T20I cricket, signaling a new competitive balance.
Why is this match a turning point for Zimbabwe cricket?
After a heartbreaking one-wicket loss to Pakistan, Zimbabwe could’ve collapsed. Instead, they responded with discipline, composure, and aggressive bowling. This win proves they can win without big scores—just smart cricket. It also gives them belief ahead of their crucial match against Pakistan, and may help secure future funding and support from Zimbabwe Cricket.
What does this mean for Sri Lanka’s chances in the tournament?
Sri Lanka’s chances are now slim. With two losses in two matches, they need to beat Pakistan by a huge margin and hope Zimbabwe lose to Pakistan to even have a chance at the final. Their batting has shown no consistency, and their bowling lacks penetration. Unless they overhaul their strategy quickly, they’re heading for a winless campaign.
How does this result affect the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025-26 standings?
Pakistan remains undefeated after two matches, sitting atop the table. Zimbabwe now has one win and one loss, putting them in second place. Sri Lanka, with two losses, is last. The final standings will be decided by the remaining matches: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka on November 21, and Zimbabwe vs. Pakistan on November 23. A Zimbabwe win over Pakistan would set up a dramatic final.
