Online Reporter
Good afternoon everyone.
Our Reporter Don Makanyanga is coming to you live from Harare Sports Club where the first T20 series between Zimbabwe and Sri-Lanka is taking place.
The match series will play a key role in Zimbabwe’s preparations for the upcoming ICC 2026 World Cup Africa Qualifiers.
Sri-Lanka have won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Home support roars
The atmosphere at Harare Sports Club is electric as enthusiastic fans have gathered to support their home team, Zimbabwe.
Clad in the vibrant colours of the national flag, supporters are waving flags, their voices merging into a chorus of cheers and chants that echo across the sports club.
Children sit atop their parents’ shoulders, eager to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes warming up on the field.
As the sun begins to dip, casting a golden glow over the ground, the palpable energy of the fans amplifies the anticipation of a thrilling match ahead, uniting everyone in a shared hope for victory as they rally behind their team.
Zim loses first wicket
Zimbabwe has lost its first wicket of the day after 2.2 overs.
Tadiwa Marumani departs for seven runs after facing seven balls. He has been caught out by Nuwanidu Fernando, off Dushmantha Chameera.
ITS 22-1 after 2.2 overs
Second wicket lost
Zimbabwe has lost its second wicket of the day.
Sean Williams has been dismissed with a Ieg before wicket (lbw) by Maheesh Theekshana in the 5th over.
Zimbabwe is now 59.2 after 5.5 overs.
Zimbabwe’s performance remains solid
The supporters haven’t been disappointed, as Zimbabwe has delivered a solid performance in their batting innings so far.
At the halfway mark of the innings, Zimbabwe has lost two wickets for 86 runs.
Zim losses third wicket
Zimbabwe has lost its third wicket of the day.
Sikandar Raza is dismissed for 28, off 20 balls.
Zimbabwe is 110-3 after 12.3 overs.
Sri Lanka chases target of 176
Zimbabwe have set Sri Lanka a target of 176 to win in the first T20I series here at Harare Sports Club.
Brian Bennett put up a good performance with the bat, scoring his fifth half-century before he was dismissed in the 19th over after being bowled by Dushmantha Chameera.
After a decent start with the bat, Zimbabwe went on to crumble in the last two overs, losing four wickets in the last two overs of the innings.
Sri-Lanka puts up good fighting spirit
Sri-Lanka has put up a good fighting spirit at halfway mark.
The visitors are 96 for no loss, they need 80 runs to win from 60 balls.
Zimbabwe set a target of 176.
First wicket of the day
Zimbabwe gets its first wicket of the day.
Tinotenda Maposa breaks the Sri Lanka opening partnership, claiming the wicket of Pathum Nissanka.
Another wicket
Zimbabwe has claimed their second wicket of the game.
Richard Ngarava claims the wicket of Kusal Perera whose strike was caught by Brian Bennet. Sri Lanka are now on 102-2 after 12.1 overs.
Zim strikes again
Ngarava strikes again for Zimbabwe in the 13th over, he gets his second and third wickets for Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka lost a crucial wicket of Kusal Mendis, who was caught by Tinotenda Maposa.
Sri Lanka is now 103-3 and needs 73 runs to win.
Wicket
Zimbabwe skipper Raza strikes for Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka lose their fourth wicket of the day. Charith Asalanka is caught behind the wickets by wicket-keeper Tadiwanashe Marumani off a Raza delivery with the first ball of the 14th over.
Another strike
Ngarava strikes again for Zimbabwe in the 13th over, he gets his second and third wickets for Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka lose a crucial wicket of Kusal Mendis who was caught by Tinotenda Maposa.
Sri Lanka are now 103-3 and need 73 runs to win.
Brad Evans gets his first wicket of the day.
Teamwork at play as Musekiwa combines well with Tony Munyonga to dismiss Dasun Shanaka.
Zimbabwe lose T20I opener to Sri Lanka
Brian Bennet’s fifth career half-century of 81 runs off 57 balls was in vain as Sri Lanka claimed the first match of the three-match T20I series with a four-wicket victory.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Having put a solid foundation from the onset, Zimbabwe had to endure rollercoaster batting innings as they were restricted to 175 runs from 20 overs for the loss of seven wickets.
Out to chase the target, Sri Lanka put in a solid performance as they reached the halfway mark of their innings with 95 runs for no loss.
The second period of the 20-over innings gave Zimbabwe some hope as the visitors went on to lose six wickets.
Sri Lanka managed to keep their cool as they chased the target with five balls to spare, winning the T20I series opener by four wickets.
