Sri Lanka expect tough opposition from Zimbabwe in shortest format

Wednesday, 3 September 2025 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka players doing warm-up session at Harare SC

Zimbabwe players have powwow ahead of practice

First T20 International at Harare today on same pitch as ODI

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Fast bowlers will continue to play a big role in the three-match T20 International series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe starting at Harare Sports Club today.

As far as Sri Lanka are concerned this series is about filling a few slots in the batting that is causing them grave concern and at the same time winning.

“We need to win as well as try and get the combinations right. When you play in Zimbabwe it’s about fast bowlers. In the ODIs the fast bowlers got more than 15 wickets,” said Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya.

“When you go to Dubai for the Asia Cup the wickets will be on the slower side, different situations. To get combinations right it depends on where you play.”

“From Wednesday onwards all the T20I games we play are towards building up for the T20 World Cup. We need a lot of match practice. We have little concerns on the formation of the side especially batting at no. 4 and no. 6. We have to work on it and do well here. Winning the ODI series will build the confidence of the players. But in any format under their conditions Zimbabwe are good. We expect tough opposition from them in the T20I matches also.”

If there is competition for places it is always a healthy sign. In that aspect the no. 4 slot is being contested by Nuwanidu Fernando and Kamil Mishara both of whom excelled in the recent SLC T20 League. Mishara had a strike rate of 172.72 second only to Pathum Nissanka’s 190.24 while Nuwanidu scored 155 runs across four innings which was the highest in the tournament at an average of 77.50 with two of them being unbeaten knocks.

Nuwanidu who has been earmarked as a potential long-term replacement following his recent performances across formats domestically and with the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team has been given the choice at no. 4 for today’s game. Following the exclusion of Avishka Fernando and Dinesh Chandimal this spot is up for grabs.

With Sri Lanka going with six specialist batters Kamindu Mendis will retain his place at no. 6 allowing room for Dasun Shanaka to fill in the no. 7 all-rounder’s position. The Harare wickets suited the fast bowlers during the ODIs, and it is on the same wicket where over 100 overs were bowled that today’s match is going to be played.

Under the circumstances Sri Lanka have opted for a two-pace, two-spin combination going with Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera and spinners Maheesh Theekshana and leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha.

Zimbabwe came third best to New Zealand and South Africa in their last T20I outing – the Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series played at Harare in July, while Sri Lanka have lost their last two T20I bilateral series by 2-1 margins to New Zealand and Bangladesh. So both teams have a lot to play for. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe last played a bilateral T20I series in January 2024 at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium with Sri Lanka winning 2-1.

Sri Lanka 11 for today: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, and Nuwan Thushara.