ZIM vs SL Match Prediction : 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe, 2025

The Sri Lankans will be coming in at full force with the squad that they’ve picked. The team has walloped Zimbabwe with some resounding victories in recent years. The visitors have had win margins of eight wickets, nine wickets and 184 runs between 2022 and 2024.

Zimbabwe may be playing at home but it is the clear underdog in this contest.

Also Check: Today's Cricket Betting Rates

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Record

The visitors have had their hosts’ number for a while in ODIs. The Sri Lankans have won four of the past five ODIs against Zimbabwe. One match in 2024 ended in a no-result. Sri Lanka won the previous ODI series against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Live-streaming and Broadcast

The opening ODI off the series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will take place at Harare Sports Club on Friday, 29 August 2025. If you’re in India, follow the action on Sony Sports Ten 5 or the SonyLIV app.

You can find live odds, updated tips after every day's play, and more information about this match at ocbscores.com.

ZIM vs SL Team Previews

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe arrives with the familiar fragilities which has seen its side struggle to move into the realms of the great sides. The top order of Brian Bennett and Ben Curran has given the team some meaningful contributions but is light on proven international experience.

Bennett scored back-to-back ducks in his past two innings for Zimbabwe. Wessly Madhevere’s talent continues to outpace his consistency. The Zimbabwean batting lineup was bowled out for 96 in its previous match against Sri Lanka.

In the middle, Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams still give this side its heartbeat, but Zimbabwe’s reliance on veterans well into their late 30s is a red flag against disciplined attacks. Raza has made single-digit scores in all of his last six innings across formats for Zimbabwe.

Captain Craig Ervine and the returning Brendan Taylor are another two on the list of players who could be past their sell-by date. Ervine has only scored 224 runs in his past ten ODI innings. The return of Brendan Taylor adds narrative more than certainty. After years away from the international circuit, his impact on his return will be uncertain.

With ball in hand, Richard Ngarava’s left-arm angles and Blessing Muzarabani’s bounce are credible threats. Beyond that pace pair, the attack can look one-paced and thin once early life in the pitch fades.

The bowling appears to be the obvious weakness in the side, which a strong unit like Sri Lanka will be eager to exploit. In the side’s previous ODI, against Ireland, none of the bowlers managed more than two wickets.

Zimbabwe Expected Playing 11

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine (c), Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor (wk), Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu

Check Out: Best Cricket Betting Sites

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka presents a well-balanced and competitive lineup with effective leadership. Pathum Nissanka and Nishan Madushka provide a solid and technically sound opening batting partnership. The pair will bring efficient running between the wickets and the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Following them, captain and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama, offers reliable tempo management and consistent shot selection in the transition from powerplay one to two. Kusal Mendis’ previous ODI knock was a ton against Bangladesh.

Janith Liyanage contributes with effective power-hitting and the occasional chip-in overs of medium-pace bowling. He was player-of-the-series in the previous ODI series against Zimbabwe with 119 runs and a wicket. Charith Asalanka’s left-handed skillset adds further stability and strategic insight in the middle phase of the innings. He played a composed half-century against Bangladesh in his previous ODI innings.

Kamindu Mendis serves as both a flexible batting option and a valuable contributor with the ball, offering Sri Lanka tactical versatility.

Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana’s disciplined spin-bowling during the middle overs remains a significant asset due to their accuracy and variation from two different angles. Off-spinner Theekshana took a four-wicket haul in the second ODI of the 2024 series against Zimbabwe.

With the new ball, Asitha Fernando provides pace and consistency with 19 wickets in his past nine ODIs. Dilshan Madushka’s left-arm seam and late swing create genuine wicket-taking opportunities throughout the innings. The team has the tools to attack in the powerplay.

Sri Lanka Expected Playing 11

Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (c/wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

ZIM vs SL Toss Prediction

Both captains should be content with bowling first. Considering the past three ODI matches with results between these sides have gone the way of the team batting second, the captains may have one thought on their minds.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

Early moisture may help the seamers with movement from overs one to ten. As the surface settles throughout the day, batting should become easier, and spinners could be effective with smart use of the conditions. A typical par score may be around 240 to 260. The previous first-innings in an ODI at Harare produced 240 for six by Ireland.

Temperatures will be scorching in the late 20s degrees Celsius with almost 50 percent humidity too. There is only a four percent chance of rain, but even if that is the case that it rains, the blazing hot conditions should dry out the pitch quickly.

ZIM vs SL: Who Will Win?

The Zimbabweans won their previous ODI series against Ireland. The Sri Lankans will be an entirely different beast, though. The Asian team has won two ODI series in a row, against Bangladesh and Australia, respectively. A deeper batting lineup and vastly superior bowling lineup justify the low odds being offered.

Bet on Sri Lanka to win.

ZIM vs SL win percentage stands at 73% in favor of SL.

Todays Match Prediction: Sri Lanka to Win.