Sri Lanka will tour Zimbabwe from August 29 to September 7, 2025, for an exciting white-ball series. Zimbabwe will look to make the most of home conditions, but Sri Lanka’s batting and bowling depth makes them the clear favorites. Here’s a look at our predictions, key players to watch, likely big six-hitters, and the full match schedule.
What is Zimbabwe’s Home Win Rate?
Zimbabwe’s home win rate at Harare is around 40 percent in ODIs and about 35 percent in T20Is in the last 10 years.
Sometimes they surprise stronger teams like Sri Lanka, Australia, or India, for example in the 2017 ODI series they won 3 to 2, but mostly their chances are low.
- ODI home wins are about 40 percent with 53 wins in total
- T20I home wins are lower, only 6 wins in 35 matches
All matches of the 2025 Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe will happen at Harare Sports Club. The pitch has low bounce, helping spin bowlers, and the boundaries are short, 65 to 70 meters, so batsmen can hit sixes easier.
Teams chasing runs usually do a bit better here. In 189 ODIs, teams batting first won 86 times, and chasing teams won 97 times.
Sri Lanka Will Win At Least 4 Matches
In the last series between these two teams in January 2024, Sri Lanka dominated Zimbabwe, winning 2 to 0 in ODIs and 3 to 0 in T20Is. Based on this, the predictions for the upcoming series are:
- ODI series: Sri Lanka to win 2 to 0
- T20I series: Sri Lanka to win 3 to 0 or 2 to 1
Sri Lanka is ranked fourth in ICC ODI rankings and has a very strong record against Zimbabwe:
- ODIs: 64 matches, Sri Lanka won 49, lost 12, 3 no result, win rate 76.56 %
- T20Is: 6 matches, Sri Lanka won 5, lost 1, win rate 83.33 %
Sri Lanka has clear advantages in both ODIs and T20Is, particularly in batting depth and bowling variety, which combines fast and spin bowling.
Although Hasaranga is absent this time, the young squad and stability of key players remain very strong.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe ODI Runs
At Harare, first-innings scores usually land between 270 and 300. With Sri Lanka’s batting firepower—including Nissanka, Mendis, and Kamindu Mendis—it’s fair to expect them to post 290+ if they bat first.
Top Batsmen to Watch
Pathum Nissanka – The opener has been solid all year, scoring 436 runs in T20Is, and he knows how to handle slower pitches. Played well against Zimbabwe last year.
Kusal Mendis – Was the top scorer against Zimbabwe in the 2024 T20I series with 73 runs. Definitely one to back for top-scorer bets.
Angelo Mathews – Experienced middle-order stabilizer with 112 runs last year, perfect for steadying the innings.
Sikandar Raza – Zimbabwe’s captain and most reliable batter, scored 70 runs in last year’s series.
Brian Bennett – Could surprise, scored 507 runs in T20Is last year, one to keep an eye on for Zimbabwe.
Top Bowlers Likely to Make an Impact
Wanindu Hasaranga – 17 wickets in T20Is, 7 in ODIs last year. Spin magician, especially on slower tracks.
Maheesh Theekshana – Took 4 wickets against Zimbabwe in 2024, tricky variations that could trouble batters at Harare.
Richard Ngarava – Fast bowler with 25 T20I wickets last year, usually strikes early.
Sikandar Raza – Can chip in with a few wickets, steady all-rounder.
Who Might Smash the Most Sixes?
Kusal Mendis – Regularly cleared the ropes in last year’s series, Sri Lanka’s main six-hitter.
Avishka Fernando – Aggressive opener, looks to attack from ball one.
Sikandar Raza – High-risk, high-reward; could hit the big shots for Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka Tour of Zimbabwe 2025 Schedule
Sri Lanka will play a white-ball series against Zimbabwe from 29 August to 7 September 2025. All matches will take place at Harare Sports Club, starting with two ODIs followed by three T20Is.