Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Highlights, 2nd ODI: Nissanka, Asalanka Star In Thrilling SL Win

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in another final over thriller in the second and final ODI of the series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Sri Lanka thus won the series 2-0. Follow the live scores from ZIM v SL 2nd ODI in Harare here:

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Live Score, 2nd ODI: Match Report

Zimbabwe’s innings in the second ODI swung between bursts of momentum and stretches of control from Sri Lanka, leaving the hosts at 277 for 7. Ben Curran’s 79 gave Zimbabwe a solid base and Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 59 from 55 balls ensured they finished strongly with 83 runs in the final 10 overs. Yet on a surface expected to reward batting, they may feel 20 to 30 runs shy of an ideal total.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers did the damage in the middle overs. Charith Asalanka rotated his options cleverly, using Maheesh Theekshana and Janith Liyanage to choke the scoring rate before Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera struck in short bursts. The dismissal of Curran and Sean Williams in the same over was the decisive swing, turning a platform into a position of pressure for Zimbabwe. Chameera’s 3 for 52 was the standout return, while Fernando chipped in with two scalps.

It was left to Raza to carry the innings through. He added 76 with Clive Madande and then shepherded the tail, mixing boundaries with sharp running to drag Zimbabwe past 250. While the middle-order slowdown cost them momentum, Raza’s late acceleration has given the total some substance. The game is now set up for Sri Lanka’s chase under lights in Harare.

Sri Lanka's chase did not get the perfect start as opener Nuwanidndu Fernando and number three Kusal Mendis were both dismissed cheaply. Brad Evans took both the wickets to put Sri Lanka under pressure in the early part of the chase.

However, Sri Lankan innings was anchored by opener Patthum Nissanka who kept his calm and played like a classic ODI batter. He scored 122 off 136 deliveries, hitting 16 fours to put Sri Lanka in a good position.

Despite Nissanka's ton, the work was not done and captain Charith Asalanka took the mantle to take his team home. In a calculate innings, Asalanka 71 off 61 to take Sri Lanka close but was dismissed with seven balls remaining in the contest.

New batter Kamindu Mendis hit a four off his first ball to leave just two runs for the final over. Sri Lanka got over the line with three balls remaining.

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: Playing 11's

Zimbabwe Playing 11

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams (c), Sikandar Raza, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande (wk), Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

Sri Lanka Playing 11

Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Full Squads

Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams (c), Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Justin Sammons, Dion Ebrahim, Charl Langeveldt, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Clive Madande, Ernest Masuku

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay