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Zimbabwe Crush Sri Lanka in Historic T20I Win

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Zimbabwe crush Sri Lanka by 67 runs as Raza, Evans lead historic T20I win

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20I: A Landmark Victory for the Chevrons

In a stunning display of all-round dominance, Zimbabwe delivered their largest-ever T20 International win by defeating Sri Lanka by a massive 67 runs. The match, played on Friday, November 21, 2025, will go down in the record books—not just for the margin, but for the sheer authority with which the Chevrons dismantled a full-strength Sri Lankan side .

Captained by the ever-reliable Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 162/7 before bowling out Sri Lanka for a paltry 95 in just 17.3 overs. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. And at the heart of it were two standout performers: Raza with the bat and Brad Evans with the ball.

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Match Summary and Key Performers

Zimbabwe’s innings was built on two crucial knocks:

  • Brian Bennett: 49 runs off 41 balls—calm, composed, and perfectly paced.
  • Sikandar Raza (captain): 47 off 33 balls, laced with boundaries at crucial junctures.

Together, they rescued Zimbabwe from a shaky 32/2 and propelled them to a defendable 162/7. The lower order chipped in, but it was their 80-run partnership that set the platform.

In reply, Sri Lanka never got going. Openers fell early, and the middle order collapsed under pressure. The final scorecard told a brutal story: all out for 95 in 17.3 overs.

The bowling heroes:

  • Brad Evans: 3/9 in 3.3 overs—economical, lethal, and match-winning.
  • Richard Ngarava: 2/15, applying early pressure.
  • Wesley Madhevere: 2/20, cleaning up the tail.

Why This Win Is Historic for Zimbabwe

This 67-run victory marks Zimbabwe’s biggest win by runs in T20I history . Previously, their largest margin was a 58-run win over Singapore in 2022. But beating a Test-playing nation like Sri Lanka—on a global stage—carries far more weight.

For a team often overshadowed in international cricket, this result is a massive confidence booster. It proves that Zimbabwe can compete with—and dominate—established teams when they execute their plans with discipline. This win also comes at a crucial time, as teams jostle for rankings ahead of major ICC events.

According to the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, consistent wins like this could see Zimbabwe climb from their current position outside the top 10 .

Sikandar Raza Leads from the Front

At 39, Sikandar Raza shows no signs of slowing down. His 47 wasn’t just about runs—it was about intent. He accelerated in the death overs, hitting three sixes and four fours to stretch Zimbabwe’s total beyond 160.

More importantly, Raza’s leadership was evident in his field placements and bowling changes. He trusted young Brad Evans at the death and was rewarded handsomely. This blend of experience and tactical nous makes him irreplaceable in Zimbabwe’s setup.

Raza has now scored over 2,500 T20I runs and taken more than 70 wickets—making him one of the few genuine all-rounders in modern cricket .

Brad Evans Annihilates Sri Lanka Batting

If Raza lit the fuse, Brad Evans detonated the bomb. The right-arm fast bowler, just 23 years old, delivered one of the most economical and destructive spells in recent T20I memory: 3 wickets for just 9 runs.

His key dismissals included Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga—Sri Lanka’s most dangerous middle-order batsmen. Evans bowled with pace, swing, and pinpoint yorkers, leaving the Lankan batters clueless.

This performance wasn’t a fluke. Evans has been Zimbabwe’s most improved bowler in 2025, and his rise offers a much-needed pace option alongside Blessing Muzarabani. Keep an eye on him in fantasy cricket circles—[INTERNAL_LINK:fantasy-cricket-picks-zimbabwe-series].

What Went Wrong for Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka’s batting collapse raises serious concerns:

  1. Top-order fragility: Openers managed just 18 runs combined.
  2. Lack of fight: Only one batter (Pathum Nissanka, 28) crossed 20 runs.
  3. Poor shot selection: Multiple wickets fell to reckless strokes against disciplined bowling.
  4. Bowling inefficiency: Their attack lacked penetration—no bowler took more than one wicket.

With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, this performance is a red flag for Sri Lankan selectors. They need to address both technical and mental aspects of their game quickly.

Conclusion

The Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20I wasn’t just another match—it was a turning point. Zimbabwe showcased a complete team performance, blending aggressive batting, intelligent captaincy, and ruthless bowling. For Sri Lanka, it’s a wake-up call. As the Chevrons celebrate their historic win, the cricketing world must take notice: Zimbabwe is no longer just a participant—they’re a threat. Expect more fireworks as this series unfolds, and don’t miss our updates on [INTERNAL_LINK:zimbabwe-sri-lanka-series-preview].

Sources

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