Zimbabwe Stuns Sri Lanka with Record 67-Run Win in Rawalpindi T20 Match

When Zimbabwe Cricket took the field against Sri Lanka Cricket on the Pakistan T20 Tri-Series 2025Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, no one expected history to be made. But by the end of the night, Zimbabwe had crushed Sri Lanka by 67 runs — their biggest ever T20I victory over a full-member nation — turning a predictable match into a seismic upset. The scorecard read 1/1 early on for Sri Lanka. Then, the collapse began. And it didn’t stop.

A Collapse That Shook the Cricket World

Sri Lanka, fresh off a clean sweep in the ODI series, entered this T20I as heavy favorites. Their batting lineup boasted world-class finishers. Their bowling attack had the experience to choke any chase. But everything unraveled in the first six overs. Pathum Nissanka was bowled by Richard Ngarava on the very first ball. Then, Kusal Perera — Sri Lanka’s veteran opener — was caught behind off Tinotenda Maposa for just six. By the seventh over, Sri Lanka was 25/3. The innings never recovered.

What followed was a bowling masterclass. Brad Evans returned figures of 3/9 in four overs — the most economical spell of the tournament. Richard Ngarava added two more wickets, while Sikandar Raza, Graeme Cremer, and Ryan Burl chipped in with one each. Sri Lanka’s innings ended at 95 all out in 20 overs — their lowest T20I total against Zimbabwe and the second-lowest in the tournament’s history.

Zimbabwe’s Batting Brilliance

Before the collapse, Zimbabwe had laid a solid foundation. Chasing 96, they didn’t need fireworks — just composure. And they delivered. Sikandar Raza, the captain, anchored the innings with a blistering 47 off 32 balls — four boundaries, two sixes, and a calm head under pressure. He shared a crucial 61-run third-wicket stand with Brian Bennett, who smashed 49 off 46, including three fours and two massive sixes. Even the tail contributed: Ryan Burl added 18 off just 11 balls, taking the score past 150 and ensuring Zimbabwe never lost momentum.

It wasn’t about power-hitting. It was about precision. Zimbabwe lost only eight wickets, and their strike rate (81) reflected control, not panic. The fielding was sharp — no dropped catches, no misfields. Even the extras were minimal: just 12. This wasn’t luck. This was execution.

A Historic Win, A New Narrative

This was more than a win. It was a statement. Zimbabwe’s previous best against Sri Lanka in T20Is? A 43-run win in 2017. This one? 67 runs. It’s now their largest margin of victory against any full-member country — ever. And it came against a team that won the T20 World Cup in 2009, and had just swept a three-match ODI series.

“We weren’t supposed to be here,” Raza said after the match. “But we believed. And when you believe, even the impossible looks possible.” He was named Player of the Match — not just for his 47, but for his leadership. He took a wicket too. And when the final ball was bowled, Zimbabwe’s players didn’t celebrate wildly. They just looked at each other. Like they knew they’d changed something.

For Sri Lanka, the defeat is a red flag. Their top order crumbled. Their middle order couldn’t recover. Their spinners — once their strength — were hit for 7.5 runs per over. The pressure of being favorites got to them. And now, they face a must-win final against Pakistan with their World Cup preparations in disarray.

What This Means for the T20 World Cup 2026

This match didn’t just change the standings — it changed perceptions. For years, cricket’s hierarchy treated teams like Zimbabwe as underdogs. But this win proves the gap is narrowing. Fast. In the last 18 months, Zimbabwe has beaten Bangladesh, drawn with Pakistan, and now crushed Sri Lanka. Their young players — like Burl, Maposa, and Evans — are no longer prospects. They’re match-winners.

What’s more, this was played in Rawalpindi — a venue known for high-scoring games. Yet Zimbabwe won with a low total. That’s the new reality: T20 cricket is no longer about who has the biggest hitters. It’s about who handles pressure best. And right now, Zimbabwe is doing it better than most.

Where Things Go From Here

With this win, Zimbabwe moves to 1-1 in the tri-series. They face Pakistan next — a tough challenge, but now with belief. Sri Lanka, on 0-2, must win their final game just to stay alive. And if they lose? The implications go beyond the tournament. Cricket boards are watching. Funding decisions. Selection panels. Coaching changes. All of it could shift because of one night in Rawalpindi.

For Zimbabwe, this is a turning point. Not just in results — but in identity. They’re no longer just a team trying to survive. They’re a team capable of dominating. And the world is starting to notice.