Colombo is all set to host the second ODI SL vs ZIM on Monday, January 8, 2024. The first ODI was rained off on Saturday. The next two games are now must-wins for both teams.
Zimbabwe escaped defeat thanks to rain that saved them in the first ODI. Chasing 274 to win, the visitors were struggling at 5/2. With the team score at 12, the skies opened and incessant rains saw the first ODI finally washed out.
There is also a rain prediction for the second ODI with almost up to 70 per cent chance of rain. In case rain is a spoilsport in the second ODI, there are chances that it will fade away too. The city of Colombo also had a lot of rain during last year’s Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka begins its 2024 season with a home series against Zimbabwe. They endured oblivion World Cup campaign and will now look to start over under a new leader and new administration. Heading into this ODI series, Sri Lanka is ranked seventh in the ICC ODI rankings, while Zimbabwe is ranked eleventh.
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They are led by a new captain in Kusal Mendis, who was announced as full-time ODI skipper by chairman of selectors Uul Tharanfa. Wanindu Hasaranga was named the new T20I skipper, while Dhananjaya de Silva was the new T20I skipper.
Zimbabwe faced Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup qualifiers earlier this year. They lost 2-1 to Sri Lanka the last time they toured Sri Lanka in 2021-22. Zimbabwe won the previous ODI series between the two teams in the 2017-28 season by 3-2, which was also played in Sri Lanka.
SL vs ZIM Match Preview – 2nd ODI, 2024
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, after the rain-suspended first ODI, will look to field the same XI in the second ODI. Pathum Nissanka is already ruled out of the series with reports of dengue. Wanindu Hasaranga did not play the first ODI. He missed the World Cup with a hamstring injury and also appears doubtful for the second ODI. There are no more injury concerns.
Sri Lanka finished ninth in the ICC World Cup 2023, after which the board decided to change the leadership in all formats by looking to generate new squads of players in all formats. A series win against Zimbabwe will be the perfect way to start the new season. Sri Lanka, unlike Zimbabwe, qualified for the T20 World Cup at the end of this year in June.
The Sri Lankan team is full of experienced bowlers and Akila Dananjaya is also in the squad. He played international cricket for Sri Laka in 2021. The pace attack is led by Dusmantha Chameera along with Pramod Madushan and Dilshan Madushanka for the company. Madushanka took both Zimbabwe wickets in the last game. Eyes will be on whether Hasaranga returns to the playing XI for the second ODI.
Sri Lanka team
Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Avishka Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Sahan Arachchige, Dilshan Madushanka
Zimbabwe
They could have avoided a defeat in the first ODI, but their performance was not up to the mark. His boss, Ciar Ervine, was desperate and his lead boalers were very expensive. Zimbabwe needs to improve their performance to win the second ODI.
Zimbabwe are playing under new coach Walter Chawaguta and with the kind of bowling performance they showed in the first ODI, they will certainly be challenged by the hosts at home. For them, eyes will be on their senior players, especially Ervine and Sikandar Raza with the bat.
The lack of quality spin options is another major factor for Zimbabwe. Apart from Raza, Tapiwa Mufudza remained wicketless in the first ODI. Maybe then we can bring in Wellington Masakadza in the second ODI.
Zimbabwe Squad
Craig Ervine (C), Joylord Gumbie (wk), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Milton Shumba, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Faraz Akram, Tony Munyonga, Tapiwa Mufudza, Ryan Burl
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