The series will comprise of two ODIs and will be played at Harare.
The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has announced the squad for the ODI series in Zimbabwe. The two nations will lock horns in two ODIs before playing three T20Is. The two-format series will begin on August 29 and conclude on September 7, with all matches being played in Harare. The T20Is will act as a preparation for Sri Lanka ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, starting from September 9 in the UAE. Mumbai Indians star Charith Asalanka has been named as the captain of the side.
The Lankan Lions are coming into the series on the back of a comfortable 2-1 ODI series victory against Bangladesh. Kusal Mendis scored a blazing 124 in the third ODI in Pallekele and will look to carry the same form. On the bowling front, both Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera would be crucial to Sri Lanka’s chances. However, Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will miss out due to a hamstring injury that he sustained while playing against Bangladesh.
The Mumbai Indians (MI) left-handed batter has fared well as Sri Lanka’s captain in ODIs. In 17 matches as captain, he has scored 626 runs at an average of almost 45. To add to that, Asalanka also boasts of a couple of hundreds, and has scalped 12 wickets for the side. He is yet to face Zimbabwe in his career, and will look at the series from a long-term perspective. He was drafted in as a replacement along with Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson for the five-time IPL champions in the recent season.
Additionally, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) star Kamindu Mendis will also play a crucial role to the team’s chances. In 22 ODIs for the Lankan Lions, he has scored over 400 runs at an average of around 25. Though he will be aware about his average, the Sri Lankan all-rounder is a live wire in the field. His catch in the IPL against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to dismiss Dewald Brevis was one of the best. His most successful batting spot remains No.4, where he has played nine games to score 171 runs. He will be a crucial ingredient in Sri Lanka’s middle-order along with Kusal Mendis.
ALSO READ:
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, and Dilshan Madushanka.
| Date | Match | Venue |
| August 29 | 1st ODI | Harare |
| August 31 | 2nd ODI | Harare |
| September 3 | 1st T20I | Harare |
| September 6 | 2nd T20I | Harare |
| September 7 | 3rd T20I | Harare |
