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ToggleThe SL vs ZIM third ODI decider will be played on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Sri Lanka are leading the series 1-0 after winning the second match by two wickets. The first ODI was rained out in Colombo.
Sri Lanka were made to work hard by the Zimbabwe bowlers chasing down 2009 for victory. They lost 8 wickets and won the match with six balls to spare. The tailenders took Sri Lanka to a win after Janith Liyanage’s 95 off 127 deliveries.
Dusmantha Chameera (18*), Jeffrey Vandersay (18*), and Maheesh Theekshana (18) scored crucial runs to take Sri Lanka to a victory. That was Sri Lanka’s 48th ODI win over in 63 ODIs. Wanindu Hasaranga did not play the first two ODIs against Zimbabwe.
Also Read: SL vs ZIM: Sri Lanka Squad For Zimbabwe T20Is Announced; Angelo Mathews Returns
They are led by a new captain Kusal Mendis who was announced as the 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 squad for the T20I series.
Zimbabwe met 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 the previous ODI series between the two sides in the 2017-28 season 3-2 which was also played in Sri Lanka. The visitors are led by Ciarg Ervine.
The weather forecast for the SL vs ZIM decider in Colombo does not look good. There are almost an 85 percent chance of rain that might play spoilsport. Rain washed out the first ODI and in case 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 how they performed in the second ODI. They were pushed to the brink of defeat before the tailenders rescued them. Skipper Kusal Mendis who himself scored just 17 in the second T20I needs to walk the batlk with the bat. The absence of an experienced batter like Angelo Mathews was evident in the series so far.
The bowling has looked good so far in both the pace and spin departments. 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 pace-bowling pair. They just need to be careful with their injury concerns. Batter Pathum Nissanka was ruled out of the series with reports of dengue and is doubtful for the T20I series as well.
Sri Lanka Squad
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 skipper Ervine none of the other batters looked at home with the conditions. Their skill and temperament as batters were tested by the Lankan bowlers. In the decider, they need to score a substantial total with the bat to give their bowlers something to defend.
Their bowlers bowled well led by Richard Ngarava. Sikandar Raza took two wickets with the ball and scored just one with the bat. The other bowlers backed Ngarava well in the match. In the decider, Zimbabwean bowlers need to replicate the bowling performance that 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
