What you should know:
The 2025 Pakistan T20I Tri-Nation Series began on November 18 and will continue until 29 November 2025 in Pakistan. It features Pakistan (hosts), Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. All matches follow T20I format and a double round-robin, with the top two teams qualifying for the final. The series serves as preparation for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan players were originally scheduled to participate, but withdrew on 17 October 2025 due to cross-border tensions with Pakistan. The PCB confirmed Zimbabwe as the replacement, retaining Sri Lanka as the third team.
After an attack near an Islamabad court complex on 11 November 2025, several Sri Lankan players raised security concerns. After considerations made by SLC, PCB, and security officials, the team agreed to continue the tour under improved protections. The tri-series start was postponed by one day.
The 2025 Pakistan T20I Tri-Nation Series has already produced two tightly contested matches. Zimbabwe opened their campaign against hosts Pakistan, where a bold effort driven by Brian Bennett’s 49 fell just short as Pakistan chased down 147 with four balls to spare.
Sri Lanka, in the meantime, entered the tournament a challenging ODI tour, but saw their weakness exposed immediately. Their batting faltered against Zimbabwe’s well-organized attack, leaving them under significant pressure heading into their battle against Pakistan.
Zimbabwe delivered a statement victory in Rawalpindi on Thursday, crushing Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the Pakistan T210I Tri-Series 2025. It was Zimbabwe’s biggest-ever win over Sri Lankan in T20I cricket.
Asked to bat first, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 162 for 8, an innings anchored by Brian Bennet and Captain Sikandar Raza, whose partnership ensured a strong springboard for the finishing phase. Their eventual total did not appear imposing at the halfway mark, but it proved more than enough as Sri Lanka’s batting collapsed in a performance they will quickly want to forget.
Sri Lanka, chasing 163, never recovered from early wickets and were bundled out for just 95 off the final delivery. Brad Evans led the demolition with a career-best spell of 3 for 9, while every one of Zimbabwe’s six bowlers picked up at least one wicket.
Zimbabwe’s innings began briskly thanks to Brian Bennet, who has rapidly become a key figure at the top of the order. His 49 set the tone as he combined clean striking with assured rotation of the strike. Even after Sri Lanka hit back through Maheesh Theekshana and debutant Eshan Malinga, Zimbabwe managed 46 for 2 in the power play, keeping themselves on track for a competitive total.
Raza, pushing himself up the order after the struggles against Pakistan earlier in the series, brought stability and intent. His 47 off 32 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes, lifted Zimbabwe over the middle overs as he and Bennett added 61 runs off 44 deliveries. At one stage, 180 looked realistic, but Sri Lanka clawed back late through Malinga, who impressed with figures of 2 for 27, and Wanindu Hasaranga who topped their wickets column with 3 for 32.
Still Zimbabwe’s 162 felt like a defendable score given the surface and the pressure of a must-win fixture.
What followed was a dramatic unraveling for Sri Lanka. Their chase began poorly when Pathum Nissanka chipped to midwicket in the opening over. Kusal Perera followed soon afterm mistiming a lofted stroke to short fine leg. By the end of the powerplay, Sri Lanka were craling at 25 for 2; their lowest powerplay score in T20Is in 2025.
The middle order fared no better. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Kusal Mendis soaked up 26 deliveries for a mere 19 runs, a perios that allowed Zimbabwe’s bowlers to tighten the screws. Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa, and Evans all fed on the rising pressure, restricting boundaries and forcing Sri Lanka into desperate single-attempts.
The strain triggered a mix-up that cost Mendis his wicket. Rajapaksa tapped the ball straight to cover, set off for a single that wasn’t there, then froze half-way down the pitch. The chaotic run-out summed up Sri Lanka’s night.
Rajapaksa himself departed soon after, bowled while attempting to break the shackles. With Kamindu Mendis bowled by Raza and the top five gone inside 11 overs, Sri Lanka’s hopes rested entirely on stand-in Captain Dasun Shanaka. His 34 off 25 offered some resistance, but when he edged behind off Ryan Burl, Zimbabwe were firmly in command. Evans returned to polish off the innings in the final ball, sealing a historic win.
Zimbabwe’s victory was a strong response after falling agonizingly short against Pakistan two nights earlier. Their Sikandar Raza-led side showed greater clarity in roles, improved execution, and a hunger that Sri Lanka did not match.
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Upcoming Matches
22 November 2025 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
23 November 2025 – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
25 November 2025 – Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
27 November 2025 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
29 November 2025 – Final (Top two teams)
