Preview, ZIM vs SL | Chevrons seek to break six-match losing streak with series on the line in Harare

The final scores will suggest Sri Lanka came out on top with a routine victory over Zimbabwe in the series opener, but the game itself panned out far differently. The Lions struggled in almost all phases of the encounter -- they conceded 60 in the powerplay albeit with two wickets to show for it, failed to strike regularly in the middle overs as only one wicket fell in a 13-over phase, and then were struck for 46 in the final five overs despite triggering a mini-collapse. As has often been the case for the team across formats over the past year or two, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis were the only bright lights at the top of the order, their 96-run stand setting the foundation for a tricky chase -- even there the wicket-keeper batter struggled to keep up to the run-rate requirements and ended with 38 off 35 deliveries. Yet, as soon as a wicket fell, four more followed in quick succession to convert 96/0 into 125/5 with the Chevrons firmly on top. Were it not for Kamindu Mendis' saving act of 41 in 16 deliveries laced with four maximums, an upset was firmly on the cards.

Sri Lanka are yet to win a T20I series in 2025, having concluded a three-match affair in New Zealand as 2-1 losers in January before spurning a 1-0 lead in Bangladesh by enduring defeat in the ensuing two games. Another opportunity awaits them on Saturday, following a nervy win in the opening encounter of the ongoing series.

Zimbabwe:  L L L L L

Sri Lanka: W L L W W

Sri Lanka have previoused played just one T20I series against Zimbabwe, where they emerged as 2-1 winners at home by clinching the decider with a dominant nine-wicket victory in Colombo. Their only defeat to the Chevrons in the format came in the second match of the series courtesy of Craig Ervine's 70 and a blistering finish from the tailenders to chase down 174 on the penultimate ball with four wickets remaining. 

ZIM 1 - 6 SL

The Harare surface is usually dry and abrasive, providing early carry for the pacers before gradually turning into a spinner’s ally as the match wears on, making run-scoring tougher with time. However, six of the nine completed T20Is at the venue in 2025 have gone in favour of the chasing side including the opening match of the seires, underlining the difficulty of setting a par score when batting first.

Despite significant cloud cover, no preciptation is forecast for Saturday in Harare as per Accuweather. The temperature shall hover in the late 20s degrees celsius and gradually decrease as the sun descends on the horizon, with low humidity and a soft breeze to accompany it. 

Brendan Taylor's return to the T20I setupw as postponed after he picked up a knock ahead of the opening game but is expected to slot straight into the team if fit. Similarly, Wellington Masakadza is likely to replace Brad Evans should he have recovered from his injury while Tinotenda Maposa coud give way to Trevor Gwandu after a disappointing outing in the first T20I. 

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are unlikely to tamper with an already fresh looking lineup apart from rotating their pacers, with Matheesha Pathirana primed to come back into the XI for fellow sling-armer Nuwan Thushara.

Sri Lanka Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushanth Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera

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