Sri Lanka name 16 for Harare, Asalanka takes charge
Two ODIs, three T20Is, one clear storyline: a new-look Sri Lanka under Charith Asalanka against a Zimbabwe outfit banking on experience. The tour, set entirely at Harare Sports Club through late August and early September 2025, gives both teams a clean window to test combinations before a busy year of white-ball cricket. For Sri Lanka, this Zimbabwe ODI series doubles as a form check on their next leadership group and a chance to lock in roles ahead of higher-profile assignments.
Asalanka will captain across formats, a responsibility that suits his calm style and game awareness. He inherits a squad that blends steady hands with hungry performers. The batting core features Pathum Nissanka’s tempo at the top, the run-bank of Kusal Mendis, and the versatility of Kamindu Mendis. Janith Liyanage, who has made a habit of doing the unspectacular things well, adds glue in the middle order. Milan and Pavan Rathnayake, the brothers fast-tracked through domestic success, bring energy and fielding bite.
Behind the stumps, Sri Lanka have options. Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, and Sadeera Samarawickrama are all available to keep, which lets the coaches set up the XI either batting-heavy or bowling-tilted depending on pitch and match-ups. Expect rotation here across formats, especially if day games in Harare demand a second spinner or an extra seam option instead.
With the ball, Sri Lanka are building around Maheesh Theekshana. The 25-year-old off-spinner enters as co-No.1 in the ICC ODI bowling rankings alongside Keshav Maharaj, backed by a record of 77 wickets in 55 ODIs at 26.25 and an economy under five—numbers that explain why he’s the first name on the team sheet. The support cast is well rounded: leggie Jeffrey Vandersay for variation in the middle overs, and Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm spin for control and batting depth.
The pace unit has different gears. Dushmantha Chameera brings pace and hard lengths up front; Dilshan Madushanka can swing it at high speed; Asitha Fernando offers discipline and reverse if the surface gets abrasive. In Harare—where mornings can offer nibble and afternoons often slow down—that mix should cover most scenarios. Theekshana last featured for Sri Lanka in July against Bangladesh, and his return to international rhythm could shape how aggressive Asalanka sets his fields.
It’s a 16-member touring party, and while the board hasn’t spelled out the full pecking order, the shape of the XI is clear: two top-order anchors, a flexible middle, dual spin options, and at least two quicks. Sri Lanka will want their powerplay batting sharper than it’s been at times—Nissanka’s strike-setting and how the number three handles Zimbabwe’s taller quicks will be early tells. Death overs with the ball remain another watch point; who pairs with Chameera at the finish might be revisited across games.
Game one offered a small preview. Early reports from the first ODI on August 29 flagged a composed stand from Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis that steadied Sri Lanka and put them on course. It’s one innings, but it fits the team’s plan: the middle order absorbing pressure before launching late with hitters around them.
What to watch tactically:
- Spin vs. middle order: Theekshana’s powerplay and post-10 control against Zimbabwe’s left-handers could decide momentum.
- Harare mornings: If Sri Lanka bat first, managing the first 10 overs against movement is crucial. Bat second, and dew may help strokeplay in the T20Is.
- Flex roles: Asalanka’s own batting position may shift based on start quality—at four to rebuild, at five to finish.
- Wicketkeeper choice: Whether Sri Lanka choose extra batting security (Samarawickrama) or glove-first balance (Madushka) will hint at their plan for the T20 leg too.
Zimbabwe recall Brendan Taylor, eye T20 tune-up
Zimbabwe have matched the visitors’ 16 with their own, and they’ve added a headline: Brendan Taylor is back in ODIs after nearly four years. His last appearance came against Ireland in September 2021, and the recall gives Craig Ervine’s side a seasoned decision-maker in the middle. Taylor’s presence won’t just be about runs; it’s about shaping the innings around him and lifting standards in the dressing room.
Ervine continues as captain, steady and experienced. The selectors have reinforced the group with names that missed the recent Ireland series: Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, and Brad Evans return, while uncapped seamer Ernest Masuku gets a look. The attack should be spearheaded by long-limbed quicks Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, the latter back from injury and usually key with the new ball. Harare’s bounce can be two-paced; both bowlers like hitting the splice and bringing the cordon into play.
For the hosts, the calendar matters. The three T20Is on this tour are the last serious tune-up before the 2025 Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final. That shifts some focus to powerplay batting plans, death bowling options, and where the finishers sit in the order. Expect Zimbabwe to treat the T20 leg like a lab: combinations will be tested, and roles may be shuffled even if the ODIs are selected more traditionally.
Zimbabwe’s key questions:
- Top-order rhythm: Can they set a platform without soaking up too many dots against Theekshana’s variations?
- Middle-overs intent: With Taylor back, does the side push harder between overs 11–35 or hold wickets for a back-10 surge?
- Death bowling: Muzarabani’s bounce vs. Sri Lanka’s finishers—especially Asalanka and Kamindu—will be a contest to track.
- Fielding discipline: In tight Harare games, saving 10–15 in the ring often swings results. Bench players could be picked for fielding alone.
Conditions will dictate plenty. Harare Sports Club, at altitude, can make the white ball travel, but the pitch often slows by mid-innings. Early movement rewards top-order patience; later, spinners can drag the scoring rate down unless batters use the sweep and the crease. If the T20Is start around dusk, expect dew to creep in and tilt chasing teams’ plans—another reason captains may prefer to bowl first.
Players to watch:
- Maheesh Theekshana: With his ranking and recent numbers, he’ll set the tone in both powerplays and after the 30th over. His carrom ball vs. Zimbabwe’s right-handers is a subplot.
- Blessing Muzarabani: Height, hard lengths, and a knack for awkward bounce at Harare. Sri Lanka’s top order will need clear plans square of the wicket.
- Kamindu Mendis: Can switch gears and handle spin—useful if the middle overs stagnate. His partnership with Liyanage already hinted at maturity.
- Brendan Taylor: Game awareness and shot selection should lift the middle order. How quickly he finds rhythm after the layoff may shape Zimbabwe’s totals.
Beyond personnel, this tour is a test of method. Sri Lanka are looking for repeatable patterns: bowling dry through the middle, sharper running between wickets, and a defined finishing pair. Zimbabwe want clarity heading into their regional T20 playoff—who opens, who bowls the 19th, who fields the hot spots. Both teams know Harare punishes drift: one sloppy five-minute spell can flip a game.
And because form is fragile, the first ODI’s early read matters. If Sri Lanka’s middle holds and their spinners tie down the chase, Asalanka will get room to experiment in the T20s. If Zimbabwe’s quicks strike early and Taylor anchors, the hosts could ride that momentum into the shorter format. Either way, with two ODIs to settle into conditions and three T20Is to tinker, this series offers a clean snapshot of where both sides stand.
Squad notes (as named):
- Sri Lanka (selected names): Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Nishan Madushka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Milan Rathnayake, Pavan Rathnayake.
- Zimbabwe (selected names): Craig Ervine (capt), Brendan Taylor, Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.
We’ll learn more once XIs are tossed up and captains talk conditions at the toss. For now, pencil in a series shaped by spin through the middle, seam with the new ball, and a handful of pressure moments that decide it either way.