Harare hosted the first ODI on 29th August 2025, and the crowd really got more than what they expected. The game kept swinging both ways, and fans were biting nails all through the second innings. Who is going to take charge, who will hold nerves, and how is the chase gonna end? These were the questions running through everyone’s head. Some analysts already predicted a close finish, but no one saw that kind of last over coming.
Both sides batted strong. Partnerships were built, wickets fell in clusters, and tension kept rising. At one point it felt like Zimbabwe was ready to seal it but then suddenly, one over flipped everything on its head. That over will probably go down as one of the craziest finishes this ground has seen in a while.
Sri Lanka Sets a Challenging Total
Sri Lanka batted first and didn’t look too threatening in the start, but they recovered well. Pathum Nissanka anchored with 76 off 92 balls, while skipper Kusal Mendis made 38. The game completely shifted later though, when Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis smashed the bowlers everywhere. They added 137 runs in just 83 balls, which was absolutely brutal for Zimbabwe. Liyanage stayed not out on 70 from 47 balls, Kamindu made a quick 57 off 36.
Earlier, Nissanka and Mendis steadied things with a 100-run stand for the third wicket. The pressure showed on Zimbabwe’s bowlers, especially when Trevor Gwandu leaked 23 runs in one over. From 161 for 5, Sri Lanka managed to finish at 298 for 6, thanks to the lower order charge. That final push is what actually made the total look a lot more dangerous than it first seemed.
Zimbabwe’s Chase and Madushanka’s Heroics
Zimbabwe didn’t panic in the chase. Ben Curran played with control, hitting 70, while Sean Williams got 57. Together they added 118 for the third wicket, making sure the asking rate never went too high. Then Sikandar Raza arrived and played a captain’s knock of 92 off 86 balls. Alongside Tony Munyonga, who stayed unbeaten on 43, he built a 128-run stand that almost killed off Sri Lanka’s hopes. At one point Zimbabwe needed only 10 from the last over.
That’s when Dilshan Madushanka stepped in and produced magic. First, he bowled Raza, then he forced Brad Evans into a catch, and finally knocked over Richard Ngarava’s stumps to complete a hat-trick. Only two runs came off the last three balls. He ended with figures of 4 for 62, while Asitha Fernando earlier took 3 for 50. Madushanka became just the eighth Sri Lankan to claim an ODI hat-trick, and his spell snatched a seven-run win from nowhere.
Turning Points and Aftermath
Sri Lanka had two century stands, and the acceleration in the final overs gave them the cushion they needed. Zimbabwe’s batting was fearless, but small mistakes, missed chances and an over-rate penalty hurt them badly. In the end, it was Madushanka’s brilliance that stood taller than everything else.
Sri Lanka now leads the two-match ODI series 1-0. The three-match T20 series is up next, but this first ODI will be remembered for two things: Raza’s valiant 92 that almost carried Zimbabwe home, and Madushanka’s dream last over that stole the game away.
