T20I Preview | Zimbabwe look confident, while Sri Lanka keen to end losing streak in Rawalpindi

Yesterday at 1:14 PM

Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will play again in Rawalpindi in the fifth match of the series on Tuesday. In head-to-head matches throughout history, Sri Lanka leads 7-3, but recent games show that the gap between the teams has narrowed, so the match promises to be fast-paced and tense again.

‌Sri Lanka is approaching its fifth T20I without a winning streak and after some tough matches, where the team often lost momentum early on. The team still lacks consistency: the top order regularly falters, and the attack does not always maintain the necessary rhythm throughout the match. The team hopes to finally put together a complete game and break out of its losing run.

Zimbabwe is also performing inconsistently. The team shows good moments in the match, especially in the opening overs, but does not always know how to maintain control in the middle and end of innings. Their play alternates between strong moments and sharp failures, which is especially noticeable in recent matches in Rawalpindi.

Against the backdrop of such instability, both teams approach the game on November 25 with different goals: Sri Lanka is looking to end its losing streak, while Zimbabwe is looking to consolidate its advantage and play a more consistent game.

Form Guide

Sri Lanka has not been in very good form in recent matches. The team has lost four of its last five T20I matches, with only one draw interrupting the losing streak. The team often fell behind its opponents in the first six overs and was unable to recover later in the game. Inconsistency at key moments, both in defending the total and in pursuit, remains the team's main problem.

Zimbabwe has also been playing inconsistently. The team has lost four of its last five matches but secured a convincing victory over Sri Lanka on November 20. The team shows good parts of their game, especially in their ball work in the early overs, but often loses control in the middle of matches and does not always finish innings effectively. Despite their overall inconsistency, their victory over Sri Lanka showed that they can put up a serious fight.

Sri Lanka: L L T L L

Zimbabwe: L L L W L

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Head-to-Head

In T20I, Sri Lanka still has the upper hand over Zimbabwe with a score of 7-3. But recent games show that the situation may change soon. In their earlier meeting in Rawalpindi, Zimbabwe repeatedly made Sri Lanka nervous: they started well with the ball and created tension. At the same time, Sri Lanka often plays better in key moments, often in the first six overs and at the end, where their fast bowlers usually decide the outcome.

At the moment, Zimbabwe is playing much more confidently, which makes it clear that the outcome of the match is not so easy to predict, although according to the overall statistics, Sri Lanka is in the lead.

Sri Lanka 7-3 Zimbabwe

Pitch and Weather – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Rawalpindi is known for its true, pace-friendly T20 surfaces where ball-striking becomes easier as the innings progresses. The pitch typically offers early seam movement under lights, making the first two overs a crucial battleground for both sides. Spinners generally play a supporting role, often used to control middle-over run rates rather than hunt wickets.

Conditions on November 25 are expected to be dry and warm, with temperatures hovering between 23-26°C in the evening. Dew may play a significant role, making chasing considerably easier. Captains winning the toss traditionally lean toward bowling first in Rawalpindi due to the settling nature of the surface and the likelihood of improved batting conditions later in the match.

A first-innings total around 165-175 is typically competitive here, though aggressive powerplay batting can push scores higher.

Team News

Ahead of the fifth T20I, it is difficult to single out any players from the Sri Lankan team who have performed well. The top order remains unstable: Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are not picking up the pace and often fail early on. Kamil Mishara and Kamindu Mendis are currently making the most notable contributions, helping to even out the game in the middle. Wanindu Hasaranga also remains important, as he is the best at controlling the middle of the innings. Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara remain the leaders of Sri Lanka's attack.

Zimbabwe relies on experience and young players. The team captain is Sikandar Raza, who makes a difference both with the bat and the ball. Brain Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani get the match off to a good start with their consistently aggressive play. Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans are also essential to Zimbabwe's strong performance. The combination of stability and progress makes Zimbabwe the more confident side going into the match.

Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga

Zimbabwe (Probable XI): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa

Broadcasting Platforms

The match will be available for live streaming in India in Sports TV channel in YouTube from 6:30 PM IST on Tuesday, with coverage expected on regional cricket broadcasters and digital services offering ball-by-ball updates and high-definition streaming. Fans can also follow the encounter through major cricket portals providing live scores, commentary, and analytics throughout the evening.