Cricket Prediction | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | 3^rd ODI | Jan 11 – Will it be a draw or SL take away the series?

SL vs ZIM Match Analysis

At the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will play the third and final One-Day International of the series. Following a scoreless first game of the series, Sri Lanka emerged victorious in a closely contested second match, winning by two wickets with six balls remaining. Continue reading for our game preview. In Colombo, the day-night ODI starts at 14:30 local time.

While they were happy to cross the finish line on Monday, Sri Lanka will aim for more runs from the top half of this ODI since they were too dependent on lower-order runs. Before this season finale, the team still had a lot of space for development.

Zimbabwe showed significant improvement in the second ODI, and if they can maintain that momentum in this match, they have a good chance of winning and tying the series at one. After being bowled out after 44.4 overs on Monday, they will now have to bat out their whole over.

SL vs ZIM Team Preview & Squads

Sri Lanka

Since no injuries were announced during the post-match ceremony, we anticipate that the same starting lineup will play in this match. The hosts were unaltered before the second ODI. The batting order may be flexible to accommodate various lineups at the crease.

Since making his debut in 2016, Kusal Mendis, the skipper, has amassed over 3500 runs in One-Day Internationals. In 17 innings at R Premadasa Stadium, he has only managed one single-figure score. With 95 runs from 127 balls on Monday, Janith Liyanage, a 28-year-old batting all-rounder, won Player of the Match in just his second One-Day International.

In the most recent game, Maheesh Theekshana, a right-arm off-spinner, claimed a wicket in four consecutive overs. This was his eighth four-wick haul in One-Day Internationals. The left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka, who has been playing brilliantly in this format, finished Monday’s seven overs with figures of 1/24, including a maiden.

Sri Lanka Squads

Sri Lanka Squads

Kusal Mendis (c) (wk), Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Sahan Arachchige, Maheesh Theekshana, Dasun Shanaka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Janith Liyanage, Dushmantha Chameera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dilshan Madushanka

Zimbabwe

Takudzwanashe Kaitano was left off the team for the second match after making one not-out from sixteen balls in the first ODI before the rain came. Joylord Gumbie entered the game and accepted the gloves used to keep the wicket, which he will keep for this match.

Craig Ervine, the team’s captain, was the most impressive batsman for his team on Monday, hitting nine fours and one six in an innings. The 29-year-old middle-order batsman Ryan Burl appeared to be on a roll when Dushmantha Chameera bowled him for 31 runs off of 37 balls in the previous game.

In the second ODI at R Premadasa Stadium, Sikandar Raza, the all-rounder, struck a maiden and was economical with the ball. He secured the wickets of Dasun Shanaka and Sahan Arachchige. There were concerns regarding Richard Ngarava’s participation on Monday because of his cramp that prevented him from finishing his overs in the first game, but he was fully healthy and achieved his best ODI figures.

Zimbabwe Squads

Zimbabwe Squads

Craig Ervine (c), Clive Madande (wk), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Sikandar Raza, Faraz Akram, Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani, Milton Shumba, Tony Munyonga, Joylord Gumbie, Tapiwa Mufudza

SL vs ZIM outfield report

R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

In the series, both teams have won one toss and elected to bat first. Therefore, we anticipate that both captains would choose to bat first if they win the toss for this last ODI.

The weather for Thursday afternoon and evening in Colombo is predicted to be warm and muggy. Throughout the contest, there might be a few weather delays. 

At the R Premadasa Stadium on Monday, the spinners had their turn once more, and the quick bowlers had a decent pace early in the innings. This match’s par score will not exceed 255.

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

In the last five games, Sri Lanka has won three matches and Zimbabwe won just one match.

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 – 230+
• Zimbabwe – 220+

According to cricket analysts, Sri Lanka has a 76.6% chance of winning.

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