SL vs ZIM 2nd ODI | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Kusal Mendis in action in the first ODI (x.com)

After their rain-soddened meeting on January 6, Zimbabwe and hosts Sri Lanka will face each other in the second ODI of their three-match series in Colombo on January 8. The two struggling sides will be aiming to shrug off their recent white-ball setbacks in a bid to gain some positive momentum at the start of the year 2024.

SL vs ZIM 2024 2nd ODI: Team Previews

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka suffered a torrid campaign at the 2023 World Cup in India a couple of months ago where they finished at number nine on the 10-team points table. Playing in the absence of a number of injury-struck players, the Sri Lankan team eventually failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Under Kusal Mendis, the team did regain its lost touch with a solid outing against Zimbabwe in their series opener on January 6. Winning the toss and batting first, Sri Lanka amassed a competitive 273-9 off 50 overs upfront on the back of a sparkling century from Charith Asalanka. The hosts also sneaked in two Zimbabwe wickets before rains played spoilsport in Colombo.

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Zimbabwe

After failing to qualify for the 2023 World Cup last year at the qualifiers at home, Zimbabwe sustained a 0-2 series defeat to Ireland. Their washout against Sri Lanka in Colombo earlier this week indicates no signs of improvement as they lost two wickets for just five runs during their incomplete run-chase in the evening.

SL vs ZIM 2024 2nd ODI: Match Details & Live Streaming

SL vs ZIM 2024 2nd ODI: Colombo Pitch Report

Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium is known for its dry nature and spin-friendly surfaces for ODIs. The venue may have fastened 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. However, as seen in last year’s Asia Cup 2023, spinners can still get much assistance off the surface. Meanwhile, owing to the overall track record of the venue, the captain winning the toss will likely opt to bat first.

SL vs ZIM 2024 2nd ODI: Probable Playing 11

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

Zimbabwe: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Craig Ervine (c), Milton Shumba, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Faraz Akram, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Tapiwa Mufudza.

SL vs ZIM 2024 2nd ODI: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

SL vs ZIM 2024 2nd ODI: Winner Prediction

Sri Lanka will be considered as favourites to upstage the visiting Zimbabwe unit to take a 1-0 lead in their three-match ODI series at home.

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