Cricket Prediction | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | 1st T20I | Jan 14– Will the visiting ZIM be able to turn around in the T20I series after the ODI series defeat?

SL vs ZIM Match Analysis

Sri Lanka won the one-day international series 2-0 and will now face Zimbabwe in the first three T20Is. Sri Lanka lost their last T20I by four wickets against New Zealand in April, while Zimbabwe fell by six to Ireland in their last encounter in this format. This series starts on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. local time at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Although Sri Lanka hasn’t participated in this format of cricket for a long, all of its players have appeared in T20 leagues during the past six months. They won the last ODI because they were too strong, and we predict they will win this first T20I as well.

Zimbabwe will enter this match with a new captain and a different attitude after suffering a crushing defeat in the final ODI. But, regardless of the opposition, playing against Sri Lanka in Colombo is usually extremely difficult, so we anticipate further difficulty for the visitors.

SL vs ZIM Team Preview & Squads

Sri Lanka

After winning the ODI series 2-0, the home team will be full of optimism, but this shorter format series will see some adjustments. Wanindu Hasaranga will lead the team for the first time as captain, but Pathum Nissanka’s injury is unlikely to have healed in time for this match.

In their last game, Sri Lanka was defeated by 4 wickets. During the game, Sri Lanka batted first and scored 182 runs. With 73 runs scored in this game, Kusal Mendis led the squad in scoring. In every format, he consistently contributes to his team’s runs, therefore Sri Lanka will be looking for him to step it up in the next game.

The Sri Lankan bowlers were unable to limit the opposition side, and in the end, they were able to chase down the target rather easily. With three wickets taken, Lahiru Kumara was Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker in the game.

Sri Lanka Squads

Sri Lanka Squads

Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Angelo Matthews, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Sahan Arachchige, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dilshan Madushanka.

Zimbabwe

It would be extremely difficult for Zimbabwe to change their mindset going into this game after suffering a crushing loss in the series’ last ODI at this location on Thursday. Sikandar Raza will take the lead in this series following Craig Ervine’s capitulation during the ODIs.

Zimbabwe also lost by eight wickets in their prior Twenty20 match. In the game, Zimbabwe chose to bat first and amassed 140 runs in the opening half. In this inning, Ryan Burl led the club in scoring with 36 runs off of 28 balls. The squad managed this low total because no other batter was able to assist him.

The opponent batters easily chased down the target, while the Zimbabwean bowlers managed to pick up just 4 wickets in the match. The bowlers had almost little control over the score on board.

Zimbabwe Squads

Zimbabwe Squads

Sikandar Raza (c), Clive Madande (wk), Joylord Gumbie, Craig Ervine, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe, and Blessing Muzarabani.

SL vs ZIM outfield report

R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Early in the match, Colombo’s pitches were batting-friendly, but as the game progressed, they helped spinners. In Twenty20, the wicket might stay steady the entire time, which benefits the quicks. Here, going for the bowl first will be a wise move.

The game will take place at a temperature of approximately 32 degrees Celsius with very little danger of rain-stopping play.

It has not been easy to bat on the Colombo pitch. Fast bowlers might gain from the new ball, but spinners are predicted to be crucial to the series. The team with the superior batting line should win the series.

SL vs ZIM Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In their last three matches, Sri Lanka won all of them.

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Prediction

Winning the toss

• Sri Lanka

Player of the Match

• Sri Lanka – Janith Liyanage

Most runs

• Sri Lanka – Janith Liyanage
• Zimbabwe – Sikandar Raza

Most wickets

• Sri Lanka – Maheesh Theekshana
• Zimbabwe – Richard Ngarava

Most sixes

• Sri Lanka – Janith Liyanage
• Zimbabwe – Sikandar Raza

Team Scores Batting First

• Sri Lanka – 200+
• Zimbabwe – 190+

According to cricket analysts, Sri Lanka has a 79.4% chance to win.

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