SL vs ZIM 1st T20I | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Wanindu Hasaranga celebrating a Zimbabwe wicket in the 3rd ODI (AP)

After the conclusion of the ODIs, Zimbabwe will now take on hosts Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series. The first of the three games will be played on January 14 in Colombo. The fixtures serve as a testing ground for Sri Lanka in lieu of this year's 2024 T20 World Cup.

SL vs ZIM 1st T20I: Team Previews

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka won the second and third ODIs against Zimbabwe to seal the 50-overs series 2-1. Their T20I form, on the other hand, has been an area of concern for the island nation, considering they have yet to register a single T20I series win since January 2023. 

After sustaining identical 1-2 defeats in India and New Zealand, their second-string team also failed to make an impact at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in October.

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The series against Zimbabwe marks their return to the format after more than nine months, considering a full-strength Sri Lankan team was last spotted in action back in April 2023.

Zimbabwe

Richard Ngarava is in sublime form [AP]

Zimbabwe finished third behind Namibia and Uganda at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier in November 2023. Securing four wins out of six fixtures, the 'Chevrons' subsequently failed to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup, set to be played in West Indies in June this year.

Zimbabwe also lost their three-match T20I series to Ireland at home in December 2023. Backed by Sikandar Raza's all-round brilliance, the team won the first match at Harare before losing the plot in the final two games to concede the series by a 1-2 margin.

SL vs ZIM 1st T20I: Match Details & Live Streaming

SL vs ZIM 1st T20I: Colombo Pitch Report

The conditions at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium generally favour spinners, with something on offer for seamers as well, especially with the new ball. The average first innings T20 total at the venue ranges around the 150-run mark. The captain winning the toss will likely choose to field first, considering the chasing sides have won 56 per cent of their matches here.

SL vs ZIM 1st T20I: Probable Playing 11

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Zimbabwe: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, Tony Munyonga, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

SL vs ZIM 1st T20I: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

SL vs ZIM 1st T20I: Winner Prediction

Sri Lanka will be considered favourites to defeat Zimbabwe in the first T20I and take an early lead in the three-match home series.

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