Sri Lanka to Tour Zimbabwe for 2 ODIs, 3 T20Is Ahead of T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers
HARARE — Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has officially announced a white-ball home series against Sri Lanka’s men’s cricket team, with all five matches set to be played at the iconic Harare Sports Club. This high-stakes series, comprising two One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe as they gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final later in September.
Full Schedule Confirmed
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ODI Series
- 1st ODI – August 29, 2025
- 2nd ODI – August 31, 2025
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T20I Series
- 1st T20I – September 3, 2025
- 2nd T20I – September 6, 2025
- 3rd T20I – September 7, 2025
All matches will take place at the Harare Sports Club, ensuring logistical consistency and a familiar home advantage for Zimbabwe.
Strategic Build-Up to Africa Regional Finals
The upcoming T20I leg of the series will serve as essential preparation for Zimbabwe ahead of the T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, also on home soil. This tournament is the final qualifying stage for African teams vying to secure a place in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“We are delighted to confirm Sri Lanka’s visit to Zimbabwe for what we expect to be a thrilling and competitive series,” said ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni.
“Matches between our two nations have always produced entertaining cricket, and this tour comes at a crucial time for our team as we prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifying campaign,” he added.
Redemption on the Horizon for Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe will be seeking redemption in the regional qualifiers after failing to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup. In the last Africa leg of the qualification process, Uganda and Namibia claimed the two available spots, edging Zimbabwe out of contention.
Zimbabwe’s absence in the 2024 edition, jointly hosted by the USA and West Indies, marked another missed opportunity after they also failed to make the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups. By not qualifying for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Zimbabwe was automatically excluded from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as well.
Past Encounters: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
Historically, cricket matches between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have delivered competitive contests, particularly in the limited-overs formats. Zimbabwe famously beat Sri Lanka in an ODI series in 2017 on Sri Lankan soil, marking one of their most notable away victories in recent memory.
Though Sri Lanka remains the stronger side on paper, especially with their recent performances in white-ball formats, Zimbabwe’s familiarity with home conditions and motivation to bounce back could lead to closely fought matches.
Implications for T20 World Cup 2026
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will feature an expanded format and more teams than ever before. Zimbabwe’s qualification is crucial not only from a sporting perspective but also for the growth and revival of cricket in the region.
The Africa Regional Final will act as the decisive gateway for Zimbabwe and other African teams aiming to join global cricket’s biggest stage. The upcoming series against Sri Lanka offers Zimbabwe’s selectors a chance to fine-tune the squad, test emerging talent, and instil much-needed confidence.
Takeaway for Fans and Stakeholders
- The Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka series is more than just cricket—it is a stepping stone toward World Cup qualification.
- A strong showing can boost morale, build momentum, and enhance public support for the Zimbabwean team.
- Fans can expect exciting matches as Zimbabwe looks to break the cycle of recent qualification heartbreaks and rebuild its international standing.
As Zimbabwe gears up for one of the most crucial periods in its modern cricketing history, the home series against Sri Lanka serves as a litmus test for its World Cup ambitions. With the full backing of Zimbabwe Cricket and the home crowd advantage, the team has everything to play for—and little room for error. The countdown to Harare has begun.