ZIM vs SL Match Preview

With the series tied at 1-1, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will play the final T20I of the series on Thursday evening at the R Premadasa Stadium. Sri Lanka won the opening game by three wickets on the final ball, while Zimbabwe won by four wickets with one ball remaining on Tuesday. Sri Lanka cannot claim that Tuesday’s defeat was unexpected, as Zimbabwe had run them close in two previous games on this tour. The hosts will need top-order runs on Thursday, and they should have enough quality to win the match and the series. Captain Sikandar Raza was rightfully pleased with his players and the outcome on Tuesday, and there will be plenty of confidence in the Zimbabwe camp that they can now go on to win the series. However, if they are to win two T20Is in a row, they will need to perform at their peak.

ZIM vs SL Match Details

Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka – 3rd T20I

Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium – Colombo

Date & Time: 18th January 2024 at 07:00 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode App

ZIM vs SL Venue Stats

ZIM vs SL Pitch Report

The pitch in Colombo is low spinning, and the RPS wicket appears to be slowing down as the Zimbabwe tour progresses. Any first-innings score of 150 or higher should be enough to win the match.

ZIM vs SL Weather Report

Clear skies are expected in Colombo on evening, with temperatures in the mid-twenties. The humidity will be high throughout the match.

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

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Brian Bennett, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Topmost Picks for ZIM vs SL Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Zimbabwe

• Sikandar Raza – The captain scored 62 runs from 42 balls on Sunday and he is averaging 44.17 from his last 31 international innings in this format.
• Blessing Muzarabani – The 27 year old pace bowler has caused problems across this tour and added another two wickets to his T20I tally in the opening game of the series.

Top Picks – Sri Lanka

• Kusal Mendis – The keeper-batter hit two fours before being dismissed for 17 runs from 15 balls on Sunday. He has the game to keep the scoreboard ticking along even on a tough pitch for batting.
• Wanindu Hasaranga – The skipper has now taken nine wickets across the last two games of Zimbabwe’s tour. He dismissed Sean Williams and Ryan Burl on Sunday.

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

Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pathum Nissanka, Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(C), Sean Williams, Richard Ngarava, Wanindu Hasaranga(VC), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera

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

Kusal Mendis(C), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pathum Nissanka, Tony Munyonga, Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams(VC), Richard Ngarava, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Sikandar Raza, Kusal Mendis

Vice-captain – Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Williams

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.