The first SL vs ZIM ODI 2024 will be played in Colombo on Saturday, January 6, 2024. This is the first of the three-match ODI series and the next two games will be on January 8 and 11. T20I series after ODI series.
Sri Lanka begins its 2024 season with a home series against Zimbabwe. Chief selector Upul Tharanga named three different captains in three formats. Kusal Mendis was named ODI captain and will lead Sri Lanka in the series. Wanindu Hasaranga was named captain of the T20I and Dhananjaya de Silva captain of the Test.
Sri Lanka, which finished ninth in the World Cup with only two wins and seven losses, suffered one of the worst World Cups in its history. That’s when the board and management were interested in changing leadership across all formats. Senior players like Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne were overlooked with Wanindu Hasaranga named new T20I skipper and Dhananjaya de Silva as new Test skipper.
Also Read: SL vs ZIM: Sri Lanka squad announced for Zimbabwe ODIs, Kusal Mendis to lead, Wanindu Hasaranga doubtful
Zimbabwe, for its part, will be led by Craig Ervine. They are fresh off an ODI series loss against Ireland in December. Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup as they lost the African qualifier to Uganda, who made history by reaching the 2024 T20 World Cup.
With teams like Nepal, Canada, Namibia, Netherlands, Uganda, Oman and PNG qualifying for the tournament, Zimbabwe’s failure to qualify for the ICC event highlights their concerns as a cricketing nation. They did not qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup and also played their last World Cup in 2015.
In recent times, Zimbabwe has not played against top-ranked teams in all formats. In 61 ODI matches against Zimbabwe, they have just won 12 matches. Zimbabwe are yet to win in T20Is and Test matches against Sri Lanka. The senior players will have to step up if they want to beat Sri Lanka in their backyard. Evine will need support from the likes of Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl and Luke Jongwe, among others.
Recent venue check-ins (R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
STATISTICS – ODI
Total matches 161
Matches won batting first 88
Matches won bowling first 63
Average score for 1st Inns 232
Average score for 2nd Inns 191
Highest recorded total 375/5 (50 Ov) by IND vs SL
Lowest total on record 50/10 (15.2 Ov) by SL vs IND
Highest score pursued 292/4 (48.3 Ov) by SL vs AUS
Lowest score defended 170/10 (49.2 Ov) by WIW vs SLW
Who will score the most runs for Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendia / Pathum Nissanka
Who will take the most wickets for Sri Lanka: Dilshan Madushanka / Dusmantha Chameera
Who will score the most runs for Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine / Sikandar Raza
Who will take the most wickets for Zimbabwe: Luke Jongwe / Blessing Musarabani
Today’s SL vs ZIM Match Prediction: First ODI, Who will win today’s T20I match? 2024
Sri Lanka are favorites to win the first ODI SL vs ZIM at home. They have a more complete team than their opponents in the given conditions.
Also Read: SL vs ZIM: Dimuth Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka sacked as Sri Lanka announce new captains for all formats
