Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka: Sikandar Raza leads standout bowling effort as Zimbabwe create 3 BIG records against Lankans

After the close game in the opening T20I where they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, Zimbabwe roared back with a ruthless bowling performance to all but level the series in the second T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday (September 6). Opting to bowl on a used surface, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza led a clinical bowling display as Sri Lanka were shot out for 80 in 17.4 overs. Raza returned standout figures of 3-11 from his four overs while Brad Evans (3-15 from 2.4 overs) and Blessing Muzarabani (2-14 from 3 overs were the other chief destroyers.

Only three Sri Lankan batters got to double digits on a pitch that was clearly not easy for strokemaking. However, it wasn't all that bad as the Lankan batters made it out to be. Debutant Kamil Mishara top-scored with run-a-ball 20 and it was not something the southpaw would have expected when he walked into bat. Skipper Charith Asalanka and veteran Dasun Shanaka were the other batters who got to double figures but the Lankan innings never had any momentum whatsoever. On their part, Zimbabwe bowled brilliantly and were also sensational in the field with some top catches to add to the visitors's misery.

There were three major records that were formed in this abject batting performance from Sri Lanka.

1)The 80 all out by Sri Lanka is the lowest team total by a full-member side against Zimbabwe in T20Is.

2)It is also the first time that a full-member nation has failed to get past 100 while batting first against Zimbabwe in the shortest format.

3) 80 all out is Sri Lanka's second lowest total in T20Is, after their 77 all out against South Africa at New York in the 2024 T20 World Cup.