Five white-ball games in nine days in Harare will set the tone for two teams trying to reset before a busy 2025–26 calendar. Zimbabwe host Sri Lanka for 2 ODIs and 3 T20Is at Harare Sports Club, a ground that rewards discipline with the new ball and tactful spin in the middle overs. The series opened on August 29 with Zimbabwe winning the toss and fielding; Sri Lanka were 81/1 after 19.3 overs at the last official update. For Zimbabwe, the T20Is are a direct tune-up for the Africa Regional Final in the T20 World Cup pathway. For Sri Lanka, it’s a chance to firm up roles under new leadership and lock in combinations that travel well.
On paper, Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe looks even in the short format and tilted Sri Lanka’s way in ODIs, but conditions in Harare tend to flatten reputations. Morning starts can aid the seamers. Once the hardness goes, skiddy pace and hit-the-seam lengths matter more than raw speed. Spin isn’t about big turn here—it’s about control, drift, and keeping stumps in play. Expect totals to hover in the competitive, not explosive, range unless one top-order batter goes deep.
Full schedule, venue and IST timings
All matches are at Harare Sports Club (Central Africa Time, UTC+2). Indian Standard Time (IST) is UTC+5:30, a 3.5-hour difference.
- ODI 1: Fri, Aug 29, 2025 – Harare – Toss: Zimbabwe fielded; Sri Lanka 81/1 (19.3 ov) at last update
- ODI 2: Sun, Aug 31, 2025 – Harare – Start: 07:30 AM local | 11:00 AM IST
- T20I 1: Wed, Sep 3, 2025 – Harare – Start: 11:30 AM local | 03:00 PM IST
- T20I 2: Sat, Sep 6, 2025 – Harare – Start: 11:30 AM local | 03:00 PM IST
- T20I 3: Sun, Sep 7, 2025 – Harare – Start: 11:30 AM local | 03:00 PM IST
Harare’s day games reduce the dew factor. The morning session can be tricky for batters—seamers get carry and a hint of nip. As the sun bakes the surface, the ball grips a touch and spinners come into the game. Captains often prefer bowling first if there’s early movement, but a settled surface later can reward patient chases. This is also a ground where smart running and batting through the middle overs beats a brief power-hitting burst.
Weather through late August and early September in Harare is usually dry and mild. Afternoon temperatures are comfortable, and rain interruptions are uncommon. That means results should come from skill and plans rather than weather quirks.
Squads, key battles and how to watch in India
Zimbabwe have picked experience around a hungry core. Craig Ervine leads a group that includes the in-form Sikandar Raza, pace pair Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, and seasoned campaigners Sean Williams and Brendan Taylor. Raza’s two-way value is the glue—if he bats through overs 7–15, Zimbabwe tend to boss games. With the ball, his off-spin is a brake when surfaces slow. Muzarabani and Ngarava set the tone up front; if they find length early, Sri Lanka’s top order will have to earn everything.
Zimbabwe ODI squad: Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande (wk), Ernest Masuku, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams.
Sri Lanka hand the ODI reins to Charith Asalanka, a calm presence in the middle order who reads tempo well. Around him, there’s pace variety—Dushmantha Chameera’s hit-the-deck style, Dilshan Madushanka’s left-arm angle, Asitha Fernando’s control—and spin craft through Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay. At the top, Pathum Nissanka’s strike rotation aligns well with Kusal Mendis’s range of strokes. If Sri Lanka stitch a 50-plus opening stand, their spinners can dictate later.
Sri Lanka ODI squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Dilshan Madushanka, Nishan Madushka (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Milan Rathnayake, Pavan Rathnayake, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage.
Selection watch: Zimbabwe can pair Muzarabani and Ngarava with Brad Evans for three seamers and use Raza and Williams as spin options. If they want an extra batter, Tony Munyonga offers middle-overs intent. Sri Lanka may stack pace with Chameera and Madushanka, then choose between Wellalage’s left-arm spin-allround value and Vandersay’s leg-spin, depending on surface wear. Keeping duties are flexible—Kusal Mendis brings top-order experience; Sadeera Samarawickrama or Nishan Madushka could slot in if Sri Lanka chase glove-work stability.
Five storylines to track:
- The new captaincy beat: How Asalanka balances batting anchor duties with field changes when the ball gets soft.
- Raza vs Sri Lanka’s spinners: Theekshana’s carrom ball and angles against Raza’s sweep and late cut.
- Powerplay hustle: Can Zimbabwe reach 45–50 without damage, or will Sri Lanka’s seamers pin them down to 30-something starts?
- Middle-overs throttle: Williams’s rotation and left-hand angle against Sri Lanka’s leg-spin and change-ups.
- Quick turnarounds: Back-to-back T20Is on Sep 6–7 will test bench depth and recovery plans.
What does the series mean? Rankings points are on the line for both formats, and confidence is currency with world events ahead. Zimbabwe’s T20I focus is obvious—they want overs under the belt and clarity on roles before the Africa Regional Final. Sri Lanka’s goal is to lock a white-ball core: a reliable top three, a finishing template at No. 6–7, and a bowling mix that can defend 160 in T20Is and 260–280 in ODIs.
Pace vs pitch: Harare rewards precision more than sheer speed. Bowlers who can hit a fourth-stump channel at back of a length tend to live rent-free in the first hour. Later, cutters and cross-seamers become gold. That’s good news for Chameera and Madushanka, and for Muzarabani’s heavy length. For spinners, this is about choking the one and getting batters to hit against the angle—not hunting for big turn. Wellalage’s left-arm spin and Theekshana’s control could be decisive in the 25–40 over phase in ODIs.
Batting blueprints: On this surface, a 70 off 90 can be as valuable as an 80 off 60 if it spans the tricky middle. Expect Sri Lanka to use Nissanka as the metronome, with Mendis or Asalanka taking calculated risks post the 30th over. Zimbabwe may lean on Ervine’s calm starts and ask Bennett or Madhevere to inject pace at No. 3/4. In T20Is, look for floating roles—Raza can jump the queue if two right-handers are in or if spin is on; Sri Lanka may push Kamindu Mendis up to counter match-ups.
Fielding and margins: Harare’s outfield is quick when dry, but angles are tricky. Good boundary riding saves 10–15 runs a game. Both sides have athletic options—Zimbabwe with Bennett and Madhevere; Sri Lanka with Rathnayake and Wellalage. The safer-catching team usually wins here.
In-game levers to watch:
- Toss calls: If there’s early cloud or a hint of grass, bowling first is tempting. Batting gets easier as the sun climbs.
- Over No. 41–50 in ODIs: Teams that keep wickets in hand often score at 7–8 an over without taking wild risks. Two set batters beat a late scramble.
- New-ball spells: A 2/30 off 8 can flip an ODI; a 2/18 in the powerplay can lock a T20I.
- Left-right pairs: Force captains to shuffle fields; it breaks the bowlers’ rhythm and the pitch plan.
How to watch in India: As of publication, no official broadcast partner for India has been announced for this series. Zimbabwe Cricket typically releases final carriage details close to matchdays. In recent Zimbabwe home series, rights for India have at times been picked up by a late OTT aggregator, while ZC has also provided official digital streams in select regions. If a TV/OTT deal is confirmed, your electronic programme guide or the app’s live-sports rail will reflect it on the morning of each game. Until then, treat carriage as “TBC” and look for a rights update nearer to the first ball of each match.
Why this series matters now: Zimbabwe want to walk into the Africa Regional Final with roles settled—Raza’s bowling windows, Muzarabani-Ngarava’s new-ball split, and the finishing hand from Nos. 6–7. Sri Lanka want a calm middle led by Asalanka, consistent starts from Nissanka, and a bowling unit that flips games in the middle overs. If either team nails these basics this week, they’ll carry more than just a series result—they’ll carry a template.