Thu Nov 20 12:30:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Shanaka to Lead Sri Lanka as They Face Zimbabwe in Tri-Series Clash

Rawalpindi, Pakistan – Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe in the second match of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 tomorrow, November 20th, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM IST.

Sri Lanka will be without their regular captain, Charith Asalanka, who is sidelined due to illness. Dasun Shanaka will step in to lead the team. Sri Lanka is hoping for a strong start to the series after a mixed performance in the recent Asia Cup, where they topped their group but failed to advance from the Super Four stage.

Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, will be looking to bounce back after a five-wicket loss to Pakistan in the opening match. Opener Brian Bennett will be carrying the hopes of the nation along with Raza.

The pitch at Rawalpindi is expected to favor batsmen, with limited assistance for spinners. Pace bowlers may find some movement off the surface. Historically, Sri Lanka holds a dominant record against Zimbabwe in T20Is, having won seven of their nine encounters.

Predicted Lineups:

  • Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
  • Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Brendar Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava.

Key Players:

  • Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s highest T20I run-scorer with 2,776 runs.
  • Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe): Recently surpassed 1,500 T20I runs.
  • Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka): A key component in the Sri Lankan batting lineup with 2,198 T20I runs.
  • Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka): Holds a slight edge over Mendis in terms of runs scored, with 2,211 T20I runs.

Cricket fans can anticipate an exciting contest between these two teams as they strive to gain momentum in the tri-series.

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