SL vs ZIM 1st ODI | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Zimbabwe return to Sri Lankan shores for white-ball series (Twitter)

Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe in the opening game of the three-match ODI series in Colombo on Saturday (January 6) as both the struggling teams hope for a winning start to the year 2024 after a horrific set of previous few months.  

While the Lankan Lions failed to secure a top 8 berth in the ICC World Cup 2023, which forced them out of contention for the 2025 Champions Trophy also, their African counterparts couldn't even make the quadrennial event after faltering badly in the global qualifier at home in July. 

Thankfully, despite the major setback, the two sides avoided undergoing an overhaul and are backing their raw but promising young talents to ultimately reap the right rewards in the long-drawn build-up to the 2027 World Cup. 

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SL vs ZIM: Team Previews 

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka finished ninth at the World Cup 2023 in India (Twitter)

Sri Lanka have stuck with Kusal Mendis as captain despite a comeback from injury for all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who had initially taken the side to the World Cup in India. Shanaka's comeback once again strengthens Sri Lanka's lower middle-order batting and overall powerhitting muscled

The Lankan Lions would also feel bolstered by the returns of speedster Dushmantha Chameera and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who adds to the list of utility cricketers available in Sri Lanka's arsenal, also featuring the talented Dunith Wellalage. 

Elsewhere, the selectors and the management would be hoping rising youngsters Pathum Nissanka and Dilshan Madushanka continue to build on their gains fetched through the World Cup exposure on Indian soil. 

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe couldn't make it past the global qualifiers (Twitter)

Zimbabwe are undergoing one of their toughest periods at the international stage after failing to secure a World Cup and a Champions Trophy slot amidst a phase where they also suffered a horrific ODI series loss at home against Ireland. 

Skipper Craig Ervine's men are approaching yet another transition phase and require strong performances in Sri Lanka to revive self-confidence and winning habits. 

They have got a nice blend of youth and experience in their line-up with the likes of Ervine, Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl combining forces with inexperienced Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Milton Shumba, Wellington Masakadza and young speedster Blessing Muzarabani. 

SL vs ZIM: Match Details & Live Streaming

SL vs ZIM: Colombo Pitch Report

Colombo is known for its dry nature and spin-friendly realms in the history of One-Day Internationals. The iconic R Premadasa Stadium may have fasten up its playing square from the 90's and given batters a hint of extra bounce and speed off the deck to play their strokes. But as seen in the Asia Cup in September, there is still plenty in it for the spinners to exploit and dominate the proceedings. 

SL vs ZIM: Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Jeffrey Vendersay

Zimbabwe: Milton Shumba, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine (c), Tony Munyonga, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza, Tapiwa Mufudza 

SL vs ZIM: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

SL vs ZIM: Winner Prediction

Playing on home turf, Sri Lankans have a massive advantage at hands with their incisive battery of tweakers and adventurous set of batters, who should prove too stiff a challenge for the inexperienced Zimbabwe side. 

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