Preview, ZIM vs SL | Taylor and Williams return to T20I fold as Chevrons seek to upset Lions
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An experienced Zimbabwe unit will take on Sri Lanka in the first of three T20Is at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, after the visitors wrapped up the ODI leg 2-0. Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams have been recalled to the squad after long while the visitors have also opted for a new-look squad.
For the little relevance a three-match T20I series holds in the modern day, a meet-up of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka under the African sun comes across as especially dour. Yet, for these two nations, it could prove to be the springboard needed to pave success across an important six months to follow with major events awaiting. For the Chevrons, it is an opportunity to gel outcasted veterans back into their set-up in time for the continental qualifiers slated for later this month. They had embarrassingly missed out on a T20 World Cup spot in 2024 after losing out to Uganda and Namibia, and the cricket-mad country won't take too kindly if a repeat follows given they by far have the richest cricket legacy amongst all the team vying for that spot at the marquee event.
As for Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup is due to start in less than a week, while a home T20 World Cup awaits in less than six months. The Lions have amde the bold call of leaving out a slew of veterans sucha s Dinesh Chandimal and Jeff Vandersay, as they set their eyes on a young and powerful unit compliant with the modenr standards of T20 cricket. The Asian nation would also hope to figure out the pecking order in their burgeoning pace department as well as find a worthy alternative to Wanindu Hasaranga, who is yet again sidelined with an injruy.
Sri Lanka have played just one bilateral series in 2025, against Bangladesh in July. The Lions ahd won the opening game but went on to lose the next two matches, thus succumbing to a series loss. Previous to that, the Lions had lost 2-1 in New Zealand across December/ January.
Fortunately for them, Zimbabwe enter the series with an even worse record. The Chevrons are winless in five games, having lost all their four fixtures in their latest endeavour against the Proteas and Kiwis, and boast just a solitary win in their last eighr completed encounters.
Zimbabwe: L L L L W
Sri Lanka: L L W W L
Sri Lanka have played Zimbabawe in jsut six T20Is, and are yet to play a short format game in the African nation. The Lions have won five of those outings, with their only loss coming in a three-match series at home last year, which was also their first ever bilateral T20I affair having only met in multi-nation tournaments or T20 World Cups previously.
Zimbawbe 1 - 5 Sri Lanka
The pitch at Harare is typically dry and abrasive offering carry for the pacers early on and plenty of grip to the spinners as a game progresses, making batting more dofficult with time. Even so, five out of eight completed T20Is at the venue in 2025 have been won by the team chasing, highlighting the challenge of pacing an innings batting first with no clear idea of a par total.
As per Accuweather, the temperature in Harare will hover in the late 20s with cloudless skies and low humidity to go alongwith. However, strong winds could make their presence felt as will hazy skies due to subpar air quality.
Both Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams should slot right back in at their favoured three and four spots, with the former taking the gloves. Blessing Muzarabani is expected to line-up alongside his counterparts after failing to finish the tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand with injury.
Dasun Shanaka's impressive recent showings should see him retain the power-hitter role lower down the order, but will likely have Dushanth Hemantha for company as the spin-bowling all-rounder with Wanindu Hasaranga injured. Chamika Karunaratne's explosive ability with the bat and striking domestic showings is likely to earn him the second seamer's role.
Zimbabwe Probable XI: Dion Myers, Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu
Sri Lanka Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushanth Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera
The three-match T20I series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will be broadcast on the Fancode app and website.
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