SL vs ZIM 2025: Harare Sports Club Pitch Report, ODI Stats and Records

Table of Contents

ZIM vs SL: Charith Asalanka’s Sri Lanka team composition for the ODI series
ZIM vs SL: Zimbabwe squad under the leadership of Craig Ervine
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
Harare Sports Club: ODI Stats and Records

Zimbabwe will host Sri Lanka in a white-ball series, starting with ODI games. The opening game will take place on Friday, August 29 while the second and final game of the 50-over series will be on Sunday, August 31. The venue for the games will be Harare Sports Club, Harare. Both teams will be looking to start a new chapter, with the series offering a crucial opportunity to build momentum and find form.

ZIM vs SL: Charith Asalanka’s Sri Lanka team composition for the ODI series

Sri Lanka will come into this series with a formidable squad under the leadership of captain Charith Asalanka. The batting will depend on Kusal Mendis whose aggressive yet stable approach will be crucial in the series to provide solid foundation to his side. He will be supported by the likes of Pathum Nissanka and Asalanka himself, who have been in decent form in recent months. The middle order boasts firepower with the presence of Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kamindu Mendis, both of whom are capable of changing the course of a match with their all-round abilities.

The bowling attack is spearheaded by the pace duo of Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madhushanka, who can generate significant speed and bounce. The spin department, a traditional strength for Sri Lanka, is a potent combination of the left-arm spin of Dunith Wellalage and the guile of Maheesh Theekshana. The team’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with flashes of brilliance interspersed with periods of inconsistency. They will be looking to use this series to find a cohesive unit and perfect their strategies ahead of more significant challenges.

ZIM vs SL: Zimbabwe squad under the leadership of Craig Ervine

Playing in their home conditions, Zimbabwe will be banking on their key players and an intimate knowledge of the local pitches. The squad is led by captain Craig Ervine, a veteran batter who provides stability at the top of the order along side Brandon Taylor. The batting unit also features the experienced Sikandar Raza, a world-class all-rounder who is the heart of the team and is in exceptional form with both bat and ball. The younger talents, such as Brian Bennett and Ben Curran, will be crucial for the side

On the bowling front, the pace attack is led by the seasoned Blessing Muzarabani, who has the ability to take crucial early wickets. The spin department is primarily handled by Raza is known for their wicket-taking ability and control. Zimbabwe has shown resilience and a fighting spirit in recent ODI encounters. Their performance at home will be pivotal, and they will look to capitalize on the familiar conditions to pose a serious challenge to the visitors.

Also READ: ZIM vs SL, 1st ODI Match Prediction: Who will win today’s game between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka?

Harare Sports Club Pitch Report

The Harare Sports Club is known for being a balanced pitch that generally favours batsmen, especially in the early stages of a match. The surface is typically firm and offers true bounce, allowing batters to play their shots on the up and score freely. As the game progresses, however, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing the spinners into play. The spinners, especially finger spinners, can find some purchase and turn, making the middle overs a crucial phase of the innings.

The pacers can extract some lateral movement with the new ball and will need to rely on variations and cutters as the ball gets older. Chasing is often the preferred option at this venue due to the general consistency of the pitch throughout the day and the fact that the surface tends to get easier to bat on under lights. Teams winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first to assess the conditions and chase down a target later in the day.