The decisive third match of ODI SL vs ZIM will be played on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Sri Lanka leads the series 1-0 after winning the second match by two wickets. The first ODI was suspended due to rain in Colombo.
Sri Lanka had to work hard for the Zimbabwe players chasing victory in 2009. They lost 8 wickets and won the match with six balls to spare. The latter led Sri Lanka to victory after Janith Liyanage’s 95 off 127 deliveries.
Dusmantha Chameera (18*), Jeffrey Vandersay (18*) and Maheesh Theekshana (18) scored crucial runs to lead Sri Lanka to victory. That was Sri Lanka’s 48th ODI win in 63 ODIs. Wanindu Hasaranga did not play the first two ODIs against Zimbabwe.
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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 Upul Tharanga. Wanindu Hasaranga was named the new T20I skipper, while Dhananjaya de Silva was the new T20I skipper. The leggie will return to the team for the T20I series.
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 Laka 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. The visitors are led by Ciarg Ervine.
The weather forecast for the decisive SL vs ZIM match in Colombo is not looking good. There’s almost an 85 percent chance of rain, which could lead to a spoilsport. Rain washed out the first ODI and if the same happens, Sri Lanka will win the series 1-0.
SL vs ZIM Match Preview: 3rd ODI, 2024
Sri Lanka
Batting remains a concern for Sri Lanka after their performance in the second ODI. They were pushed to the brink of defeat before those following them rescued them. Captain Kusal Mendis, who scored just 17 in the second T20, needs to walk with the bat. The absence of an experienced batsman like Angelo Mathews was evident in the series so far.
The bowling has looked good so far in both the pace and spin department. Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya and Pramod Madushan were benched in the second ODI. It will be interesting to see if any of them get a chance to play in the decider. Chameera and Madushanka have formed a good bowling pair. They just need to be careful with their injury concerns. Batter Pathum Nissanka was ruled out of the series due to reports of dengue and is also doubtful for the T20I series.
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
These visitors were inconsistent with the bat in the second ODI. Apart from captain Ervine, none of the other batsmen seemed comfortable with the conditions. The Lankan bowlers tested their skill and temperament as batsmen. In the decider, they need to score a substantial total with the bat to give their bowlers something to defend.
Their players played well coached by Richard Ngarava. Sikandar Raza took two wickets with the ball and scored just one with the bat. The other players supported Ngarava well in the match. In the decider, Zimbabwe’s bowlers must replicate the bowling performance they had 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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