ZIM vs SL Match Preview

Sri Lanka won the ODI series 2-0 and will now face Zimbabwe in the first of three T20I matches. Sri Lanka lost their last T20I to New Zealand by four wickets in April, while Zimbabwe lost to Ireland by six wickets in their final game in this format. They may not have played in this format in a while, but all of their players have competed in various T20 leagues in the last six months. They were too strong in the final ODI, and we expect them to dominate again in this first T20I. Zimbabwe suffered a heavy defeat in the final ODI, but will return to this game with a renewed energy and a new captain. However, playing against Sri Lanka in Colombo is always difficult regardless of the opposition, and we expect the visitors to struggle once again.

ZIM vs SL Match Details

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka – 1st T20I

Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium – Colombo

Date & Time: 14th January 2024 at 07:00 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode App

ZIM vs SL Venue Stats

ZIM vs SL Pitch Report

The surface at R Premadasa Stadium always turns with little bounce. And the wicket’s pace is unlikely to change following the ODI series.

ZIM vs SL Weather Report

There is no rain forecast for Colombo on Sunday evening. It will be hot throughout the game, with temperatures in the high 20s.

ZIM vs SL Last Five Matches

ZIM vs SL Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Schedule Announced: Complete List of Matches, Dates and Venues for T20 World Cup 2024

ZIM vs SL Probable Playing XIs:

Zimbabwe Probable Playing XIs

Sikandar Raza (c), Milton Shumba, Clive Madande (wk), Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Carl Mumba, Luke Jongwe, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsely Ndlovu

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Akila Dananjaya, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana

Topmost Picks for ZIM vs SL Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Zimbabwe

• Sikandar Raza- the all-rounder has been batting consistently across T20Is over the last few years. On a spinning track he will be very useful with both bat and ball.
• Blessing Muzarabani- the right-arm fast medium bowler will look to strike early with the new ball. He needs one more dismissal to bring up 50 T20Is.

Top Picks – Sri Lanka

• Kusal Mendis- the ODI captain will return to the ranks as merely a top order keeper-batter in this game. He will be looking to add to his 12 scores of 50+ in T20Is.
• Matheesha Pathirana- the young right-arm pace bowler with a slingy action lost a bit of confidence during the 2023 Cricket World Cup but he has impressed in domestic cricket over the last couple of months.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ZIM vs SL Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis, Clive Madande, Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga(C), Sikandar Raza(VC), Richard Ngarava, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ZIM vs SL Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis(C), Clive Madande, Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sikandar Raza, Richard Ngarava(VC), Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis

Vice-captain – Sikandar Raza, Richard Ngarava

Wicketkeeper – Kusal Mendis

ZIM vs SL Probable Winners:

With this T20I series starting immediately after the ODIs, we could see the gap between the sides narrow slightly. However, the gap is enormous, and Sri Lanka were in no mood to take it easy in the final ODI series. We can expect some innovative captaincy from both captains as they look to get off to a winning start in the series, but we don’t believe Zimbabwe has enough quality. Zimbabwe will rely heavily on Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava, and we believe Sri Lanka will take advantage. We predict that Sri Lanka will win and go up 1-0. Considering the team combination, Sri Lanka is expected to win this match.