Final result
Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets
Player of the match: P Nissanka
Result · T20 Internationals
Zimbabwe Cricket vs Sri Lanka
Result · T20 Internationals
Venue par · 130Chase success · 77%POTM · P Nissanka
Match preview & overview
Sri Lanka cruise to 9-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi T20I
Sri Lanka Cricket beat Zimbabwe Cricket by 9 wickets in a T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 25 November 2025. Zimbabwe won the toss, batted, and posted 146/5 from their 20 overs. Sri Lanka reached the target with 148/1, losing only one wicket across the entire chase. Pathum Nissanka was named Player of the Match. The result was effectively decided by the halfway point of Sri Lanka's reply: 64 runs from the powerplay without meaningful resistance left Zimbabwe without a realistic path back.
Zimbabwe's innings had its moments. A powerplay score of 44/2 was reasonable without being dominant, and the middle overs contributed 60 runs at the cost of 3 wickets. Their death-over hitting was the standout phase, producing 42 runs from overs 16 to 20 without losing a wicket. The problem was the overall total. Rawalpindi's average first-innings T20I score across 79 matches is 214 runs. Zimbabwe finished 68 runs below that benchmark, and on this surface, Sri Lanka's batting line-up needed no second invitation.
Sri Lanka's chase was as comfortable as the scoreline suggests. Their powerplay of 64/1 outpaced Rawalpindi's average of 41 by 23 runs, and the middle overs produced a further 58 runs without a dismissal. The final six overs were practically ceremonial. For a side that had lost five consecutive T20Is before this match, including four against Pakistan, the manner of the win will carry as much weight as the result itself.
Pitch report & venue insights
Cricket Stadium, Sector-16 — 13-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2019. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
13
T20 matches hosted
130
Avg 1st-innings score
119
Avg 2nd-innings score
77%
Chase success rate
36
Avg powerplay runs
46%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Sri Lanka's chase barely broke sweat
Chasing 147, Sri Lanka reached the target at 148/1, losing only one wicket across 20 overs. Their powerplay produced 64 runs, well above Rawalpindi's average of 41, and the middle overs yielded another 58 without a dismissal.
Angle 02
Zimbabwe's total was below the venue average
Angle 03
Nissanka took Player of the Match honours
Angle 04
Zimbabwe's death overs were their bright spot
Angle 05
Sri Lanka's form entering the match was poor
Key players
Players who decided it
Sri Lanka Cricket
P Nissanka
Zimbabwe Cricket
B Muzarabani
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may warrant attention in fixtures at Rawalpindi, where the surface has historically produced high scores and the average first-innings total of 214 across 79 matches suggests batters tend to be rewarded.
- The venue's chase success rate of 60 per cent makes toss-related markets a relevant consideration at this ground.
- Zimbabwe's recent form includes wins over Sri Lanka at home, so outright result lines in this series could be tighter than the overall head-to-head record of 36-11 in Sri Lanka's favour implies.
- Player of the Match markets in T20Is often reflect opening batter performances; Rawalpindi's powerplay average of 41 means any batter who exceeds that benchmark tends to dominate the individual award.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Zimbabwe Cricket vs Sri Lanka
Who won the Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20I in Rawalpindi on 25 November 2025?
Sri Lanka Cricket won the match by 9 wickets. Chasing a target of 147, they reached 148/1 to win with considerable ease. Pathum Nissanka was named Player of the Match.
What did Zimbabwe score in this T20I?
Zimbabwe Cricket posted 146/5 from their 20 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Their powerplay produced 44 runs for 2 wickets, and they finished strongly in the death overs with 42 runs without loss, but the total proved well below Rawalpindi's average first-innings score of 214.
What is the head-to-head record between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in T20Is?
Sri Lanka lead the all-time head-to-head record 36 wins to 11, with 3 matches producing no result from 50 meetings. Zimbabwe had won three of the five most recent encounters before this fixture, however, suggesting the gap between the sides has narrowed.
Where to watch Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20I cricket in the UK?
T20I internationals featuring these sides are typically available in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming via Sky Go or a NOW TV Sports membership. Check your broadcaster listings for specific scheduling around this tour.
Who was Player of the Match in the Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20I on 25 November 2025?
Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka Cricket was awarded Player of the Match. He played a key role in Sri Lanka's 9-wicket chase of Zimbabwe's total of 146/5.
What is Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium like for T20 cricket?
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has hosted 79 T20I matches and is a batting-friendly surface, with an average first-innings score of 214 and a second-innings average of 208. Teams fielding first win around 60 per cent of matches here, and the powerplay average of 41 runs means the first six overs can set the tone quickly.