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Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe
The Pakistan Tri-Nation Series continues on Thursday, November 20, 2025, as Sri Lanka takes on Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Itβs the second match of the tournament and an early chance for both sides to settle into the competition.
Sri Lanka head into the game as the higher-ranked team in the ICC T20I standings and carry the stronger overall record in this matchup. Even so, Zimbabwe have shown they can disrupt expectations. Their win during the September 2025 bilateral series is still fresh enough to remind Sri Lanka that this wonβt be a straightforward contest.
The match starts at 6:30 PM IST, with attention on players who can alter the rhythm of the game quickly – Sikandar Raza for Zimbabwe and Pathum Nissanka for Sri Lanka. Their influence could shape how the early points in this tri-series are decided.
Zimbabweβs most reliable performer and the one player who consistently stands up against stronger opposition.
The betting tip is...
Sikandar Raza - 30.5+ Runs
61 %
39 %
Sri LankaZimbabweIn the lead-up to the T20I Tri-Series in Pakistan, Sri Lanka has had to deal with a turbulent few days. A deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad has heightened safety concerns, and the team has undergone unexpected changes as a result.
Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando have both returned home due to illness, though their exits came amid early reports suggesting some players were uneasy about continuing the tour.
With Asalanka unavailable, Sri Lanka have turned to Dasun Shanaka to lead the side for the tournament, while uncapped batter Pavan Rathnayake has been drafted into the squad. These disruptions add to a challenging backdrop for the visitors, especially after suffering a 3β0 ODI series sweep against Pakistan just before the start of the tri-series.
A potential playing XI for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe in the T20I Tri-Series could feature players mentioned below.
Predicted Lineup: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, and Nuwan Thushara.
Zimbabwe arrived for the T20I Tri-Series in Pakistan with a last-minute change to their squad. Blessing Muzarabani has been ruled out due to a back injury, prompting the inclusion of left-arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri as his replacement. Apart from that switch, the group remains largely the same as the one that went down 0β3 in their recent series against Afghanistan.
Sikandar Raza continues to lead the side, and Zimbabwe will treat this tournament as a chance to regain confidence. The return of veteran Brendan Taylor gives the batting unit some much-needed experience as the Chevrons look to steady themselves after a difficult run of results.
Here is the predicted playing XI for Zimbabwe for their match against Sri Lanka in the T20I Tri-Series, based on squad selection and recent form.
Predicted Lineup: Brendan Taylor (wk), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Dion Myers, Clive Madande, Richard Ngarava, Bradley Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri.
Sri Lanka head into this contest as the more settled side despite recent disruptions, and their stronger batting core - led by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis - gives them the edge on a Rawalpindi pitch that usually rewards clean stroke-play.
Zimbabwe rely heavily on Sikandar Raza and Brendan Taylor for stability, but their inconsistency, especially with the ball after Muzarabaniβs withdrawal, remains a concern. Unless Raza produces a standout all-round performance, Sri Lanka should have enough depth to control the game and start the tri-series with a win.
