Zimbabwe is set to host Sri Lanka for a five-match white-ball series later this year, comprising two One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is), with all matches scheduled to take place at Harare Sports Club. The series will begin with the ODIs on August 29 and 31, followed by the T20I leg on September 3, 6, and 7.
The upcoming series carries particular importance for Zimbabwe, as the T20Is will serve as vital preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final. Zimbabwe will host the regional final between September 19 and October 4, where teams will compete for the final two African qualification spots for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Givemore Makoni, Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, expressed enthusiasm for the home series. “We are delighted to confirm Sri Lanka’s visit to Zimbabwe for what we expect to be a thrilling and competitive series. 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 said.
This will be the first bilateral meeting between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka since January 2024, when Sri Lanka clinched a 2-0 victory in a three-match ODI series at home. Both sides are yet to announce their squads for the forthcoming tour.
For Zimbabwe, the series adds to an increasingly busy calendar. The team is also preparing to host South Africa for a two-Test series, followed by a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are currently hosting Bangladesh in their opening assignment of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle and will follow that up with three ODIs and three T20Is once the Test series concludes.
Zimbabwe Men’s Fixtures vs Sri Lanka:
- August 29 – 1st ODI (Harare Sports Club)
- August 31 – 2nd ODI (Harare Sports Club)
- September 3 – 1st T20I (Harare Sports Club)
- September 6 – 2nd T20I (Harare Sports Club)
- September 7 – 3rd T20I (Harare Sports Club)