Craig Ervine and Charith Asalanka (Source: @ICC, @graynics/X.com)
The rivalry is going to be intense when Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka collide in the first ODI of the two-match series, with the first game set to be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. This exciting encounter will take place on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 1 PM IST.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has had a disappointing run in the recent Test series, having failed to win a single game in white-ball cricket since their victory over Ireland in February. Zimbabwe's returns have been dwindling, as the players have not been able to step up on crucial occasions. They're coming here after a 2-0 Test series loss against New Zealand, preceded by a loss in all matches in the T20I Tri-Series series involving the BlackCaps and South Africa.
As for the squad composition, the return of Brendan Taylor is a significant advantage, as he has the ability to score runs consistently. Skipper Craig Ervine and Sean Williams will be crucial for the Zimbabwean side, as they will look to pile on runs, while the return of Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani will be quite crucial, alongside having experienced Sikandar Raza in the setup.
Sri Lanka
As for Sri Lanka, they lost their recent T20I series against Bangladesh 2-1, but managed to conquer the ODI series in the same ratio, 2-1, against the Tigers in July this year. Skipper Charith Asalanka has been quite magnificent both in terms of his batting and captaincy, while the side will look to gain from his confidence and extend their dominance in the ODI format.
The side has the likes of Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis in the lineup, who all have plenty of batting experience. While Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, and Asitha Fernando will brighten up the bowling lineup, alongside Dushmantha Chameera.
ZIM vs SL Head-To-Head In ODIs
| Categories | Zimbabwe | Sri Lanka |
| Matches Played | 64 | 64 |
| Matches Won | 12 | 49 |
| Matches Lost | 49 | 12 |
| Matches Tied | 0 | 0 |
| No Result | 3 | 3 |
How Will The Pitch At Harare Behave?
The pitch at the Harare Sports Club in Harare is a balanced one, where there's likely to be an even contest between bat and ball. The pacers will receive some early assistance, while the spinners will come into play as the match progresses, as the pitch slows down. With spongy bounce and softness in the wicket, batters will find it difficult to time their shots on this ground, which has long boundaries.
However, there has been a pattern where batters, after settling down, have managed to pile up runs on this venue. Therefore, with all the factors taken into account, it is likely that the side winning the toss will opt to bowl first at this venue, as chasing will get a little easier.
Players To Watch Out For In ZIM vs SL 1st ODI
Zimbabwe
Brian Bennett
Brian Bennett is an exciting Zimbabwean batter who naturally scores runs at the top of the order. In nine ODIs, he has scored 327 runs at an average of 36.33, while striking at 98.49, with a century to his name so far.
Craig Ervine
Zimbabwean skipper Craig Ervine has been the most dependable batter in the Chevrons' side with 3600 runs in 128 ODIs at an average of 33.02 while striking at 76.66 with 23 half-centuries and 4 centuries to his name. In recent times, he has become more responsible with the bat, keeping Zimbabwe ahead in the game with his anchoring.
Blessing Muzarabani
Right-arm pacer Blessing Muzarabani has been a key member of the Zimbabwean side, boasting a tall right-arm angle and the ability to extract bounce and pace from the surface. The bowler has bagged 69 wickets in 55 games at an average of 32.11, while bowling at an economy of just 5.10.
Sri Lanka
Charith Asalanka
Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka has demonstrated his class in the past, with runs coming off his bat. In 76 ODIs, Asalanka has smashed 2,544 runs at an average of 43.86, while striking at 90.88. With 16 half-centuries and five centuries, the left-hander has proved his mettle at the highest level.
Kusal Mendis
Sri Lankan keeper Kusal Mendis has been tremendous for the Island nation with plenty of experience under his belt, scoring 4,654 runs in 106 ODIs. Mendis has scored runs at an average of 35.52, while striking at 88.41, where he has managed to smash six centuries and 34 half-centuries so far in the 50-over format. With the kind of experience he has, expect him to fire once again.
Asitha Fernando
Right-arm pacer Asitha Fernando has made a name for himself in his short international career. In 23 ODIs he has played, the pacer has managed to pick up 30 wickets at an average of 26.43, while bowling at an economy of just 5.62. Fernando's ability to trouble the batters with consistent line and length, while generating some movement off the surface, has been handy for the Sri Lankan side, as he has consistently picked up wickets in all formats of the game.
Today’s Match Prediction: ZIM vs SL 1st ODI Match
Predicted Top Performers
Zimbabwe – Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Wessly Madhevere
Sri Lanka – Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana
ZIM vs SL 1st ODI Match: Predicted Score
Predicted first innings score: 240-245
Predicted second innings score: 245-250
Predicted Result: Considering both teams' quality, experience, and skill set, it is highly likely that Sri Lanka might emerge victorious.
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