Hosts Zimbabwe crashed to a demoralizing 8-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the third and deciding match as the Lankans bounced back from disappointment in the second game to show their class. While Zimbabwe had a lot to celebrate in the second game yesterday, they were brought back to reality with a crushing loss in Harare. It was joy for Sri Lanka but nightmare for the Chevrons who despite putting runs on the board failed with the ball. We will try and ascertain why they lost to Sri Lanka in this fashion.
Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani & Tinotenda Maposa leaking runs does not help Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe were put into bat by Sri Lanka and they put in a very good batting performance by putting up 191/8 which seemed like a competitive score in Harare. Zimbabwe bowlers yesterday had their tails up and were confident today. But what followed was absolute mayhem as the pace bowlers of Zimbabwe went the distance. Not only did they go for runs but also failed to pick up a wicket.
Richard Ngarava the leader of the pace attack went for 42 runs in 3.4 overs and was wicketless. Blessing Muzarabani went for 43 runs in 3 overs and was clobbered as he too went wicketless. Tinotenda Maposa’s 2 overs went for 26 runs. Brad Evans managed to pick up a wicket but went for 28 in 3 overs but he was a bit better. But the main pacers in Ngarava and Muzarabani had an off day and that did not help the hosts at all. They needed to stand up with series on the line and runs on the board. But they failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
Zimbabwe have got the Qualifiers next and need their paceman in red hot form in order to be successful and qualify for 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. They have the talent and well led by Sikandar Raza but just need to address the consistency issues that they face. Credit to Sri Lanka for the way they played, their openers and later Mishara as well.
Leaking runs to the openers hurt Zimbabwe in the powerplay
Zimbabwe did well in all phases of the game when they batted first even in the powerplay they got 58 runs. But while defending the score, they conceded 67 runs and though they picked up a wicket, it was not enough to restrict the opposition. Kusal Mendis came out all guns blazing with his 30 off 17 balls setting the tone and the form batter Pathum Nissanka bounced back to get 33 off 20 balls.
The start in the powerplay by the openers set the tone and there was no looking back for Sri Lanka after that. The new ball bowlers Ngarava and Muzarabani went for a lot of runs and even the change fast bowlers did not do their job. It was a collective bowling failure as only the captain Sikandar Raza kept things under check and bowled an economical spell. The others gave runs away by bowling too many wayward lines and lengths.
Looking ahead to the Qualifiers, Zimbabwe must get their house in order especially with the new ball and even in the death overs in order to do well in that tournament. If the likes of Muzarabani and Ngarava continue to be inconsistent and blows hot and cold, Zimbabwe are going to struggle big time. So, the pace bowlers need to get their act together as the spinners are doing a decent job with ball in hand. We won’t point out the batting today as they did as well as they could today.
Inability to stop and plan against young Kamil Mishara hurts Zimbabwe a lot
But the highlight of the day came from the young Kamil Mishara. He is batting at Number 3 and stood up to the plate. We had mentioned that someone other than Nissanka needs to step up and Mishara did so big time and was ably supported by seasoned campaigner Kusal Perera. The duo put on an unbroken stand of 117 runs off 63 balls for the third wicket and put the game beyond doubt.
Zimbabwe did not have any planning against him and that hurt them a lot. They bowled wayward stuff and did not have control over proceedings. Yes, the spinner in Sikandar Raza kept things under check, but the rest went for loads of runs. Mishara took advantage of the platform laid by the openers and went about his merry ways. Perera too benefitted from loose bowling and scored 46 off 26 balls as both stayed unbeaten till the end.
Zimbabwe needs to have plans against every batter whether experienced or new to the circuit in order to be a successful side. Yes, there have been positives for them, but the concerns far outweigh them totally. The Qualifiers won’t be an easy ride and Zimbabwe needs to be at their best in all departments if they want to make it to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. They should make it, but it is not a guarantee for them.
So, Sri Lanka wins the series 2-1 with Kamil Mishara awarded Player of the Match and Dushmantha Chameera awarded Player of the Series. Sri Lanka will next go into the Asia Cup 2025 and will play on 13th September against Bangladesh while Zimbabwe plays the Qualifiers from 19th September in Zimbabwe. We shall see how things pan out for both teams in their next assignments.
Also Read: ZIM VS SL: 3 Reasons For Zimbabwe’s Gut-Wrenching Defeat In 1st T20I.