1st ODI, Harare, August 29, 2025, 01:00 PM
Sri Lanka
298/6(50.0ov)
Zimbabwe
291/8(50.0ov)
Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 7 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Dilshan Madushanka
Commentry
Right then, that’s all from the first ODI of the series. Sri Lanka have stolen the victory from Zimbabwe in the last over to go 1-0 up. The second game will also be played here at the Harare Sports Club on 31st August, Sunday. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 am GMT, and as always, we’ll be here a bit earlier with all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
The victorious captain of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka, says it was an amazing game of cricket and praises both sides for fighting till the end. Mentions that Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando were amazing at the end with the ball. Shares that he does not feel the need to go in with an extra bowler and feels that the current combination is their best. Lauds Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis for their partnership and feels that their stand set up the innings for the team.
Dilshan Madushanka is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his HAT-TRICK in the final over and ending up with a four-fer. He says that he is happy to contribute for the team in a winning cause. He admits that he didn't start well with his spell, but he had a plan for the death overs, and he was focused on bowling more yorkers towards the end. He says that he is elated to deliver for the team and looks forward to continuing this performance going ahead.
The stand-in skipper of Zimbabwe, Sean Williams, mentions that the Powerplay with the ball was unbelievable and praises Blessing and Richard, who were unbelievable in setting the tone. Williams says he and Ben Curran came in at a difficult stage when they lost two quick wickets. Adds that he and Ben decided to be a bit proactive, and it came off well.
Presentation Time...
Sri Lanka blew hot and cold with the ball, but when it mattered most, they held their nerve. Asitha Fernando set the tone with two wickets in the very first over, only for the hosts to claw their way back as some sloppy fielding didn’t help the cause. Kamindu Mendis broke a threatening stand, and Fernando chipped in with a crucial strike to swing the momentum back, yet once again, Sri Lanka found themselves under pressure and even put down a chance, staring at defeat. Fernando bowled a superb penultimate over to bring some momentum back. That’s when skipper Charith Asalanka threw the ball to Dilshan Madushanka, and the left-armer delivered something special – a stunning hat-trick in the final over to seal the game in remarkable fashion for his side.
Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka, after a cautious start, went on to pile up a commanding total. The innings was built around a couple of century partnerships, with Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage, and Kamindu Mendis all registering fifties. The real acceleration, though, came from the latter two, who added a blazing 137 runs off just 87 deliveries. For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava was the standout with a couple of wickets, but his injury meant he couldn’t finish his quota - a setback for his side. Apart from Brad Evans, who was economical, the rest chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Sri Lanka were also exactly in the same position, but they found their saviours in Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis. Zimbabwe needed something similar, and they found exactly that. Their ever-reliable Sikandar Raza took charge, and though not at his fluent best, he dug in and kept the chase alive. Tony Munyonga provided strong support at the other end, and together they stitched a vital 129-run stand that carried Zimbabwe to the brink of victory. With just 10 needed off the final over, the stage looked set, but heartbreak followed. Raza, agonisingly short of a century, fell first ball for 92, and Tony was left helplessly stranded as the collapse unfolded. He did get back on strike for the final two deliveries, but by then it was too late as the pressure got to him.
Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a nightmare start with two wickets falling in the very first over, leaving them reeling without a run on the board. But Sean Williams and Ben Curran brought a sense of calm, riding out some nervy moments and then stitching together a superb 118-run stand that gave the hosts real hope. Both raised their fifties and looked set to take the game deep, but the double blow of their dismissals triggered a collapse from 118/2 to 140/4. With Wessly Madhevere, too, failing to make a mark, Zimbabwe’s fight fizzled out as they were struggling at 161/5.
How did Zimbabwe let this slip? Needing just 10 runs with five wickets still in hand going into the final over, they looked certain to cross the line, but cricket once again showed its unpredictability. Dilshan Madushanka grabbed the ball, shouldered the responsibility, and produced absolute magic with a sensational hat-trick to turn the game on its head. From the brink of defeat, Sri Lanka snatched victory by 7 runs, pulling off an escape that will be remembered for a long time. For Zimbabwe, it was heartbreak of the highest order - so close, yet agonisingly far from what should have been a famous win.
In over# 50
1
0
1
0W
0W
0W
Dilshan Madushanka 62/4(10)
49.6
1
A job well done from Dilshan Madushanka! So close, yet so far for Zimbabwe! This is on a short of a length, angled across, Tony Munyonga swings and lofts it over mid off. It is mopped up by the backtracking mid off fielder. Sri Lanka clinch this thriller by 7 runs and take an unassailable lead in this two-match ODI series!
49.5
.
That should do it for Sri Lanka! Madushanka serves a yorker, going across the batter, Tony Munyonga swings at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. Dilshan Madushanka just has to ensure that he keeps his foot behind the line.
49.4
1
On a back of a length, on middle, Blessing Muzarabani swings across and gets it to deep mid-wicket. Brings Tony Munyonga on strike, does Blessing. Zimbabwe need 9 off 2.
Blessing Muzarabani comes out to the middle now.
OUT! TIMBER! HAT-TRICK FOR MADUSHANKA! What a time to produce it! Dilshan Madushanka stays over the wicket but pulls the length back and keeps the line of attack at the stumps. Richard Ngarava stays leg side, clears his front leg and has a massive swing across the line. The ball sneaks under the blade to clatter into the stumps. Tony Munyonga is left stranded at the other end with Zimbabwe needing 10 runs off 3 balls.
49.3
W
OUT! TIMBER! HAT-TRICK FOR MADUSHANKA! What a time to produce it! Dilshan Madushanka stays over the wicket but pulls the length back and keeps the line of attack at the stumps. Richard Ngarava stays leg side, clears his front leg and has a massive swing across the line. The ball sneaks under the blade to clatter into the stumps. Tony Munyonga is left stranded at the other end with Zimbabwe needing 10 runs off 3 balls.
Richard Ngarava walks out to bat now.
OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Dilshan Madushanka! Dilshan pushes it across the right-hander, very full. Brad Evans looks to get under the ball and scoop it over short fine leg. Fails to do so in a fashion he would have liked to get the elevation. Spoons it towards short fine leg where Asitha Fernando runs over his right shoulder and takes a safe catch.
Welcome to the ultimate coverage of the Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe 2025 1st ODI, featuring Zimbabwe (ZIM) and Sri Lanka (SL). Experience the thrill of live cricket with our instant score updates, toss news, squads, and real-time commentary.
Match 1st ODI Details – ZIM vs SL
- Match Day: Friday, 29 August 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM (IST)
- Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Toss Time: 12:30 PM IST
- Streaming Partners: Fancode
- Live Commentary: TheLiveCricketScore.com
Playing XI:
ZIM:
Clive Madande, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Ben Curran, Johnathan Campbell, Sean Williams, Tony Munyonga, Brian Bennett, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Ernest Masuku.
SL:
Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando.
ZIM vs SL – Head-to-Head Record
- Played: 6
- Wins – ZIM: 4 | SL: 2
- No Result: 0
What’s Inside
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- Detailed scorecards
- Toss and XI updates
- Player performance tracking
- Match outcome and result summary
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