The Sri Lanka cricket team marked its victory at the first T20 International three-match series, which was held for Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at Harare on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Let us know in detail the key highlights of this interesting match where records were made, odds were turned, and game-changing moments were made, and also about players—Kamindu Mendis, Briann Bennett, Pathum Nissanka, who gave the milestones to remember with their outstanding performances.
Victory of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka won the first match with four wickets and scored 176/6 in the first T20 international series with Zimbabwe, beating the target of Zimbabwe [175/7].
Now Sri Lanka leads this three-match series [1-0] and sets the bar high for the Zimbabwe cricket team. When the Zimbabwe cricket team gave high hopes to the fans with a fantastic score, Sri Lanka wrote history by reversing the odds and putting victory in their court.
Read Also: Rashid Khan
Overview of the match
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe —1st T20Is, at Harare
- Zimbabwe Scores — 175/7 [20 overs]
- Sri Lanka Scores — 176/6 [19.1 overs]
- Sri Lanka won over Zimbabwe team by four wickets.
Top Performers of Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at 1st T20I Match
- Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe) – 81 (57 balls)
- Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 55 (32 balls)
- Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 41 (16 balls) —giving him the title of ‘Player of the Match’.
- Sri Lanka leads the 3-match series [1-0]
Brian Bennett-Breaking the records
Briann Bennett was the opener batsman of the Zimbabwe cricket team in today’s T20I match, where he added his name to the record books. He gave a brilliant and record-breaking performance by scoring 81 runs off 57 balls, with 12 fours and without scoring any sixes.
It is a rare milestone in cricket history among ICC members. He broke the record of Faf Du Plessis and Babar Azam, who previously attained a record of 79 runs without any sixes.
Although the Zimbabwe cricket team didn’t win the match, Brian Bennett’s record made history and will be remembered for a long time. Despite the defeat of the team, Brian Bennett’s performance made the day for everyone.
Read Also; Yashasvi Jaiswal
Pathum Nissanka—Quick Scorer
When the win was in favour of Zimbabwe, who gave the target of 175/7 to break, with the significant contribution of Briann Bennett as opener from the Zimbabwe team, who broke the record with 81 runs off 57 balls.
Then Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis came to the rescue of the Sri Lanka team.
Nissanka gave his best by quickly scoring 55 runs off 32 balls and giving momentum to the team with his contributory performance. It was a great start from Sri Lanka’s team by Pathum Nissanka.
Kamindu Mendis- Player of the Match
Man of the Match, Kamindu Mendis! 🎉
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 3, 2025
An incredible match-winning knock of 41 not out from just 16 balls. What a sensational performance to get us over the line!#ZIMvSL #KaminduMendis #LionsRoar pic.twitter.com/y3xfjl0W3q
Even after the powerful performance of Pathum Nissaka, the game felt stumbling from Sri Lanka’s side during mid-innings with just 125/5 on the scoreboard.
That’s when the game changer of the match dusted off and arrived to reverse the odds at the ground for his team. With the unbeatable performance of Kamindu Mendis, who smashed the game with 41 runs just off 16 balls, Sri Lanka wrote the victory today, and Kamindu Mendis was declared as ‘Player of the Match‘. His performance was truly game-changing and worth remembering in the cricket history of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Players list
Here’s the list of first 11 players from Sri Lanka team in T20Is:
Pathum Nissanka | Right-Handed |
Kusal Mendis | Right-Handed |
Kusal Perera | Left-Handed |
Nuwanidu Fernando | Right-Handed |
Kamindu Mendis | Left-Handed |
Charith Asalanka | Left-Handed |
Dasun Shanaka | Right-Handed |
Maheesh Theekshana | Right-Handed |
Matheesha Pathirana | Right-Handed |
Binura Fernando | Left-Handed |
Nuwan Thushara | Right-Handed |
Zimbabwe Players list
Here’s the list of first 11 players from Zimbabwe team in T20Is:
Brian Bennett | Right-Handed |
Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicketkeeper) | Left-Handed |
Sean Williams | Left-Handed |
Sikandar Raza (captain) | Right-Handed |
Ryan Burl | Left-Handed |
Tony Munyonga | Right-Handed |
Tashinga Musekiwa | Right-Handed |
Brad Evans | Right-Handed |
Tinotenda Maposa | Right-Handed |
Richard Ngarava | Left-Handed |
Blessing Muzarabani | Right-Handed |
Conclusion
Hence, Sri Lanka sets a challenge for Zimbabwe by leading a 1- 3 match series in T20 internationals. Let’s see what fate the other two matches and moments to remember players bring for us in the T20Is of Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe.
In the above article, we read that matches aren’t just about victories but also about the players who give their best, play with dedication, change the fate of their team and present their skills outstandingly in the match. They offer experiences to their fans that make the match worth watching.
