Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Prediction, One-Day International 31st August 2025

The One-Day International (ODI) series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka resumes on Sunday at the renowned Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka has been in better form recently, winning 3 of their last 5 matches, while Zimbabwe has not won any of their last 5 games. Zimbabwe enters this match after a narrow seven-run defeat to Sri Lanka. This will be their second encounter in the ODI series, and both teams will be eager to secure a positive result, making it an intriguing contest. Let’s examine the preview and offer predictions.

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka: Date and Time of the Match Start

This match is expected to take place on the 31th of August 2025. The kickoff time will be 10:30 am.

• Match: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka
• Date: Sunday, August 31st, 2025
• Kick-Off Time: 10:30 am (AEST)
• Stadium: Harare Sports Club - Harare, Zimbabwe

Interesting Facts About Teams

The standout performer scored 247 runs in three innings, leading the run charts for Zimbabwe.

The team showed resilience, especially in the final match, where they chased down a target of 240 runs with nine wickets in hand.

The wicket-keeper batter scored 225 runs in three innings, making him the top scorer for Sri Lanka.

Asitha Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana also showed excellent form, contributing significantly to the team’s success.

Weather Report before the Match

The weather condition is expected to be sunny in Harare Sports Club - Harare, Zimbabwe, with the temperature reported to be around 28 degrees. The Humidity will be 14% and the wind speed around 16km/h.

As the surface settles, batting conditions should improve, and spinners may become effective with strategic use of the conditions. A typical par score is expected to be between 240 and 260, with Ireland’s recent first-innings total of 240/6 serving as a reference.

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka: Chances of Winning

Zimbabwe`s Brian Bennett has played 10 matches, scoring 327 runs at an average of 32.7, with a strike rate of 98.19. Sikandar Raza has also played 10 matches, scoring 263 runs at an average of 37.57, with a strike rate of 80.92. Richard Ngarava has featured in 9 matches, taking 12 wickets at an economy rate of 5.04 and a strike rate of 35.33. Blessing Muzarabani has played 7 matches, claiming 10 wickets with an economy rate of 5.41 and a strike rate of 35.4.

Sri Lanka`s Kusal Mendis has played 9 matches, scoring 441 runs at an average of 49.0, with an impressive strike rate of 99.54. Charith Asalanka has featured in 10 matches, accumulating 385 runs at an average of 48.13, with a strike rate of 91.23. Asitha Fernando has played 9 matches, taking 20 wickets at an economy rate of 5.25 and a strike rate of 18.00. Maheesh Theekshana, in 9 matches, has taken 12 wickets with an economy rate of 4.25 and a strike rate of 32.25.

Zimbabwe's chance of winning - 20%

Sri Lanka's chance of winning - 80%

Zimbabwe Preview

Zimbabwe will be disappointed by their failure to close out the match, despite strong batting performances from Sean Williams, Ben Curran, Sikandar Raza, and Tony Munyonga. After a shaky start, where they were 0-2 in the first over of the chase, Williams and Curran put together a solid 118-run partnership. However, they lost wickets in quick succession, putting their chances in jeopardy. Raza and Munyonga fought hard, bringing Zimbabwe close to victory, but Madushanka’s hat-trick in the final over denied them a famous win. The team will now look to move past this heartbreak as they prepare for the next match, which could decide the series.

Key Players: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine

Zimbabwe Players List

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

Sri Lanka Preview

Kusal Mendis could be the standout batter in Sri Lanka’s first ODI against Zimbabwe. In the previous series against Bangladesh, he scored 225 runs in three innings, averaging 75.00, and played a key role in the team's series win. With high confidence, Mendis will look to continue his form.

Asitha Fernando may be the best bowler in the first ODI. With eight wickets in his last three ODIs, the pacer is in excellent touch and will be crucial for Sri Lanka to take key wickets.

Dilshan Madushanka rescued Sri Lanka in their previous match, taking a hat-trick in the final over to secure a tense 7-run win. Despite being expensive at times, Madushanka’s performance at the end of the game was vital, and with Fernando, they accounted for seven wickets to prevent Zimbabwe from chasing down the target.

Key Players: Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis

Sri Lanka Players List

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

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head

The visitors have had the upper hand in ODIs against their hosts for a while. Sri Lanka has won four of the last five ODIs against Zimbabwe. One match in 2024 ended in a no-result. Sri Lanka also won the previous ODI series against Zimbabwe.

Head-to-Head Record

• Total - 65
• Zimbabwe - 12
• Sri Lanka - 50
• No Result - 3

Who will win the match, Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka?

Using advanced computer power and data, Stats Insider has simulated the result of Friday`s Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka One-Day International match 10,000 times.

Our leading predictive analytics model currently gives Sri Lanka a 80% chance of beating Zimbabwe in the One-Day International match of the 2025 season.

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Prediction

Sri Lanka has remained unbeaten in their last five encounters with Zimbabwe, winning four and one match being washed out due to rain. Zimbabwe’s last victory over Sri Lanka dates back to 2022.

In the past five matches, Sri Lanka leads 4-0. Overall, Sri Lanka holds a commanding 50-12 record against Zimbabwe in 65 ODIs. While Zimbabwe gave Sri Lanka a tough challenge in the first ODI, Sri Lanka’s experience helped them narrowly win a thrilling contest.

Looking ahead, another close match is expected, but Zimbabwe's chances of winning remain slim. Their last ODI victory over Sri Lanka was more than three years ago, and they have not won any of the past five encounters. Given this, Sri Lanka holds a clear advantage, and with odds of 1.30, they are the favored team to win.

Our First Prediction Sri Lanka`s P Nissanka top Batter - 4.50 odds for 1xbet

Our Second Prediction Over 529.5 total match runs - 1.83 odds for BC.Game

Our Third Prediction is Zimbabwe to win the toss - 1.90 odds for Dafabet