Table of Contents
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline covers a rivalry that has featured Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), T20 Internationals (T20Is), World Cups and several memorable bilateral series.
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe first met in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, and Sri Lanka have historically held a significant advantage in the rivalry. Zimbabwe, however, have produced several important victories, particularly in limited-overs cricket. Their most recent major meeting came at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, when Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in Colombo.
The rivalry has featured players such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Arjuna Ranatunga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams and Brian Bennett.
Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe: Quick Overview
| Category | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| First ODI meeting | 1992 | 1992 |
| First Test meeting | 1994 | 1994 |
| First T20I meeting | 2008 | 2008 |
| Main formats | Tests, ODIs, T20Is | Tests, ODIs, T20Is |
| Test matches | 20 | 20 |
| Test wins | 14 | 0 |
| Test draws | 6 | 6 |
| ODI matches | 66 | 66 |
| ODI wins | 51 | 12 |
| ODI no-results | 3 | 3 |
| T20I matches | 12 | 12 |
| T20I wins | 8 | 4 |
| Latest major T20I | Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets, 2026 | Zimbabwe won |
The overall record shows Sri Lanka’s dominance, particularly in Test cricket. ACS records list 20 Tests, with Sri Lanka winning 14 and six drawn, while the ODI record through August 2025 stood at 51 Sri Lanka wins, 12 Zimbabwe wins and three no-results.
1992: Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe Rivalry Begins
The first recorded ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe took place during the 1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup in New Zealand.
The match was played at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth on 23 February 1992.
Sri Lanka won the match by three wickets, beginning what would become a largely Sri Lankan-dominated ODI rivalry. ACS records list this as the first ODI between the two countries.
The 1992 World Cup was particularly important for Sri Lanka because they were developing into a stronger international side. Zimbabwe were also establishing themselves on the world stage after gaining Test status later in the decade.
1994: First Test Series Between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe
The two teams played their first Test series in 1994-95 in Zimbabwe.
The three-Test series ended with all three matches drawn.
Zimbabwe were still developing their Test cricket programme, while Sri Lanka were beginning to establish themselves as a competitive Test nation.
The drawn series was an important first step in the longer Test rivalry.
According to the historical record, the two teams have since played 20 Tests, with Sri Lanka winning 14 and the other six ending in draws. Zimbabwe have yet to win a Test against Sri Lanka.
1995-96: Sri Lanka Win Their First Test Series
Sri Lanka hosted Zimbabwe in 1996 for a two-Test series.
Sri Lanka won both Tests, giving them their first series victory over Zimbabwe.
The results demonstrated Sri Lanka’s rapid progress in Test cricket and the gap that still existed between the two teams.
Sri Lanka’s batting strength, combined with the emergence of world-class spinners, increasingly made them difficult opponents.
1997-98: Sri Lanka Continue Their Test Dominance
Sri Lanka again hosted Zimbabwe during the 1997-98 season.
The two-Test series was won by Sri Lanka 2-0.
Sri Lanka were becoming a major force in international cricket during this period, while Zimbabwe were still searching for their first Test victory over their Asian opponents.
1999: Zimbabwe Earn Draws in Test Cricket
Zimbabwe hosted Sri Lanka in 1999-2000 for three Tests.
Sri Lanka won one match while the other two were drawn.
Although Zimbabwe did not win the series, their ability to draw two Tests showed that they could compete with Sri Lanka in longer-form cricket.
The series also featured several notable Zimbabwean players who would become important to the national team in the following decade.
2001-02: Sri Lanka Win 3-0
Sri Lanka toured Zimbabwe during the 2001-02 season.
Sri Lanka won all three Tests.
The series was particularly memorable because Sri Lanka’s legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan produced outstanding performances against Zimbabwe.
Muralitharan became one of the defining bowlers of the rivalry and eventually finished with 59 ODI wickets against Zimbabwe, the most by any bowler in the head-to-head record.
2004: Another Sri Lankan Test Sweep
Zimbabwe hosted Sri Lanka again in 2004.
Sri Lanka won both Tests.
The result continued Sri Lanka’s unbeaten Test record against Zimbabwe.
At this stage, Sri Lanka were firmly established among the leading Test teams in world cricket, with players such as Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya forming the core of a powerful side.
2008: First T20I Between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe
The rivalry expanded into T20 international cricket in October 2008.
The first T20I between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe was played at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground in King City, Canada.
Sri Lanka won by five wickets.
This match created a new chapter in the rivalry as both teams adapted to the growing importance of T20 cricket.
Sri Lanka would eventually establish a strong advantage in the format as well.
2010-11: Sri Lanka Produce a Record ODI Total
One of the most significant ODI matches in the rivalry came at Pallekele during the 2010-11 season.
Sri Lanka scored 327/6, one of their highest totals against Zimbabwe.
The innings featured extraordinary batting from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga, who put together a massive 282-run opening partnership.
Dilshan scored 144 while Tharanga made 133.
ACS records list 327/6 as Sri Lanka’s highest ODI total against Zimbabwe and the 282-run opening partnership as the highest first-wicket stand between the teams.
2016: Sri Lanka Win Two Tests
Zimbabwe hosted Sri Lanka in 2016 for a two-Test series.
Sri Lanka won both matches.
The series again highlighted Sri Lanka’s superiority in Test cricket.
However, Zimbabwe continued to produce competitive limited-overs performances and remained capable of causing problems for Sri Lanka.
2017: Zimbabwe Make History in Sri Lanka
One of the biggest turning points in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline came in 2017.
Zimbabwe toured Sri Lanka for a five-match ODI series.
Zimbabwe produced a stunning performance and won the series 3-2, securing their first bilateral ODI series victory over Sri Lanka.
The result was historic because Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka in their own conditions.
Sri Lanka responded by winning the one-off Test that followed, but Zimbabwe’s ODI series victory remains one of the most important results in the rivalry.
2017: Sri Lanka Win the One-Off Test
After the ODI series, the teams played a one-off Test at Colombo.
Sri Lanka won by four wickets.
Zimbabwe nevertheless made the Test highly competitive and showed that their improvement was not limited to ODI cricket.
The match also demonstrated the contrast between Zimbabwe’s growing white-ball strength and Sri Lanka’s traditional advantage in Test cricket.
2018-19: Zimbabwe Challenge Sri Lanka Again
The two teams continued to meet regularly in ODI cricket.
Sri Lanka generally maintained the upper hand, but Zimbabwe produced competitive performances in several matches.
The rivalry increasingly became important for both teams because encounters against each other provided valuable opportunities for players to gain international experience.
2022: Sri Lanka Win the ODI Series 2-1
Zimbabwe toured Sri Lanka in January 2022 for three ODIs.
Sri Lanka won the series 2-1.
The first ODI was abandoned because of rain, while Sri Lanka won the second and Zimbabwe won the third.
The series showed that Zimbabwe remained capable of challenging Sri Lanka in ODI cricket despite Sri Lanka’s superior overall record.
2023: Sri Lanka Sweep Zimbabwe in the T20I Series
Zimbabwe toured Sri Lanka in January 2024 for three T20Is, with the series beginning at the end of 2023/early 2024 cricket calendar period.
Sri Lanka won the series 2-1.
The deciding third T20I produced a dominant Sri Lankan victory.
Zimbabwe were dismissed for just 82 in 14.1 overs, while Sri Lanka chased the target in only 10.5 overs, reaching 88/1.
Wanindu Hasaranga was outstanding, taking 4/15 and earning Player of the Match honours. Sri Lanka Cricket reported that the victory secured the T20I series 2-1.
2024: Sri Lanka Win the T20I Series 2-1
The three-match T20I series demonstrated how competitive the shorter format had become.
Sri Lanka won the first match, Zimbabwe responded in the second, and Sri Lanka dominated the deciding third match.
The final match was particularly one-sided, with Sri Lanka winning by nine wickets after bowling Zimbabwe out for 82.
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis completed the chase, while Hasaranga’s four wickets destroyed Zimbabwe’s batting order.
2025 ODI Series: Sri Lanka Win 2-0
Sri Lanka toured Zimbabwe in August 2025 for a two-match ODI series.
Sri Lanka won both matches.
The first ODI was played at Harare on 29 August 2025. Sri Lanka scored 298/6, while Zimbabwe replied with 291/8.
Sri Lanka won by seven runs.
The second ODI on 31 August produced another Sri Lankan victory. Zimbabwe made 277/7, but Sri Lanka chased the target with 278/5 in 49.3 overs to win by five wickets.
The 2-0 series result further extended Sri Lanka’s advantage in ODI cricket.
2025 T20I Series: Sri Lanka Win 2-1
The T20I series followed the ODI matches.
Sri Lanka won the first T20I at Harare by four wickets.
Zimbabwe responded in the second match, winning by five wickets after Sri Lanka were dismissed for only 80.
Sri Lanka then bounced back strongly in the third T20I.
Zimbabwe scored 191/8, but Sri Lanka chased the target with 193/2 in just 17.4 overs, winning by eight wickets. Kamil Mishara scored 73 from 43 balls and was named Player of the Match, while Dushmantha Chameera was Player of the Series after taking 11 wickets.
Sri Lanka therefore won the three-match series 2-1.
2026 T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe Shock Sri Lanka
One of the biggest recent upsets came at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka hosted Zimbabwe at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 19 February 2026.
Sri Lanka batted first and scored 178/7.
Zimbabwe chased the target successfully, reaching 182/4 in 19.3 overs to win by six wickets.
Brian Bennett scored a crucial half-century, while captain Sikandar Raza contributed 45 from 26 balls and took 0/36. Raza was named Player of the Match.
The result was particularly significant because it was Zimbabwe’s fourth T20I victory over Sri Lanka in their 12-match head-to-head record.
Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe Timeline: Major Results
| Year | Format / Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | World Cup ODI | Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets |
| 1994-95 | Test series | 3 Tests drawn |
| 1996 | Test series | Sri Lanka won 2-0 |
| 1997-98 | Test series | Sri Lanka won 2-0 |
| 1999-00 | Test series | Sri Lanka won 1-0 |
| 2001-02 | Test series | Sri Lanka won 3-0 |
| 2004 | Test series | Sri Lanka won 2-0 |
| 2008 | First T20I | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets |
| 2010-11 | ODI | Sri Lanka scored 327/6 |
| 2016 | Test series | Sri Lanka won 2-0 |
| 2017 | ODI series | Zimbabwe won 3-2 |
| 2017 | One-off Test | Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets |
| 2022 | ODI series | Sri Lanka won 2-1 |
| 2024 | T20I series | Sri Lanka won 2-1 |
| 2025 | ODI series | Sri Lanka won 2-0 |
| 2025 | T20I series | Sri Lanka won 2-1 |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup | Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets |
Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head Record
The Test rivalry is heavily dominated by Sri Lanka.
The two teams have played 20 Tests, with Sri Lanka winning 14 and Zimbabwe winning none. Six matches have ended in draws.
In ODIs, the teams have played 66 matches. Sri Lanka have won 51, Zimbabwe have won 12 and three matches have ended without a result. There have been no tied ODIs between the sides in the recorded head-to-head.
In T20Is, the teams have played 12 matches. Sri Lanka have won eight and Zimbabwe four.
| Format | Matches | Sri Lanka Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Draw/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 20 | 14 | 0 | 6 draws |
| ODIs | 66 | 51 | 12 | 3 no-results |
| T20Is | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 98 | 73 | 16 | 9 |
Key Players in the Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe Rivalry
Muttiah Muralitharan has been one of Sri Lanka’s greatest performers against Zimbabwe. He took 59 ODI wickets against them, the highest total by any bowler in the recorded ODI rivalry.
Marvan Atapattu is Sri Lanka’s leading ODI run-scorer against Zimbabwe, with 906 runs in 28 matches. His highest score was 103 not out.
Tillakaratne Dilshan produced one of the greatest individual innings in the rivalry when he scored 144 at Pallekele in 2010-11. He was involved in a record 282-run opening partnership with Upul Tharanga.
Wanindu Hasaranga was a key performer in the 2024 T20I series, taking 4/15 in the deciding match as Sri Lanka won by nine wickets.
Sikandar Raza produced one of Zimbabwe’s most recent match-winning performances against Sri Lanka. He scored 45 from 26 balls and took 0/36 in Zimbabwe’s six-wicket T20 World Cup victory in Colombo in 2026.
Brian Bennett has also emerged as an important Zimbabwean batter in recent meetings. He scored a half-century during Zimbabwe’s successful chase in the 2026 T20 World Cup match.
Most Memorable Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe Matches
The 1992 World Cup meeting is historically important because it was the first recorded ODI between the teams.
The 2010-11 ODI at Pallekele stands out for Sri Lanka’s 327/6 and the extraordinary 282-run opening partnership between Dilshan and Tharanga.
The 2017 ODI series is memorable because Zimbabwe won 3-2 in Sri Lanka, producing one of the biggest bilateral surprises in the rivalry.
The 2024 T20I series decider was another memorable match because Sri Lanka bowled Zimbabwe out for 82 before completing a nine-wicket victory.
The 2025 ODI series demonstrated Sri Lanka’s continued strength, as they won both matches in Harare.
The 2026 T20 World Cup match provided Zimbabwe with another landmark victory. They chased 179 at the R. Premadasa Stadium and defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets.
Why the Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe Rivalry Matters
The rivalry is important because it has provided both teams with valuable international competition across all three formats.
Sri Lanka have historically dominated Zimbabwe in Test and ODI cricket. Their strong record has been built through generations of outstanding players, including Muralitharan, Atapattu, Jayasuriya, Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
Zimbabwe, however, have regularly produced surprises. Their 3-2 ODI series victory in Sri Lanka in 2017 showed that they could compete against stronger opponents in their own conditions.
More recently, Zimbabwe’s six-wicket victory at the 2026 T20 World Cup demonstrated that the rivalry remains capable of producing major upsets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe first play each other?
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe first met in the recorded ODI head-to-head during the 1992 Cricket World Cup. Sri Lanka won the match by three wickets.
When did Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe first play Test cricket?
The first Test series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe took place in 1994-95 in Zimbabwe. All three Tests were drawn.
When did Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe first play a T20I?
Their first T20I was played in October 2008 in Canada, with Sri Lanka winning by five wickets.
Who has won more Tests between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe?
Sri Lanka have won 14 of the 20 Tests between the teams. Zimbabwe have not won a Test against Sri Lanka, while six Tests have been drawn.
Who won the 2017 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe ODI series?
Zimbabwe won the five-match ODI series 3-2 in Sri Lanka, producing one of the biggest upsets in the bilateral rivalry.
Who won the 2025 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe ODI series?
Sri Lanka won the two-match ODI series 2-0 in Harare. They won the first match by seven runs and the second by five wickets.
Who won the 2025 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe T20I series?
Sri Lanka won the three-match T20I series 2-1.
Who won Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets on 19 February 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Zimbabwe scored 182/4 while Sri Lanka made 178/7.
Who scored the most ODI runs in Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe matches?
Sri Lanka’s Marvan Atapattu is the leading ODI run-scorer in the rivalry, with 906 runs.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline is a long-running international rivalry that began with the 1992 World Cup and expanded into Test and T20I cricket.
Sri Lanka have enjoyed a clear overall advantage. They have won 14 of the 20 Tests and 51 of the 66 recorded ODIs against Zimbabwe, while also leading the T20I head-to-head 8-4.
However, Zimbabwe have produced several memorable results, most notably their 3-2 ODI series victory in Sri Lanka in 2017 and their six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
From Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling dominance and Dilshan’s 144 to Sikandar Raza’s match-winning 45 in 2026, the rivalry has featured many memorable performances.
As both teams continue to compete in international cricket, the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline remains an interesting record of Sri Lanka’s historical dominance and Zimbabwe’s ability to produce important upsets.
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