Related Articles
After a thrilling victory in the second ODI, Sri Lanka is poised to seal the series against Zimbabwe in the third and final encounter on Thursday. The action unfolds at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where both teams will strive to claim supremacy.
Head-to-Head Record
In the 63 ODIs played between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, the former has asserted dominance with 48 victories, while Zimbabwe has secured 12 wins. Three matches concluded without a result, underscoring Sri Lanka’s historical advantage.
Live-Streaming and Broadcast
Cricket enthusiasts can catch the live stream on the Sony Liv and the FanCode App. Additionally, the match will be broadcasted on the Sony Sports Network.
Team Previews
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka kicked off the new year with a positive start, clinching a narrow victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI. The home team’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, played a pivotal role in restricting Zimbabwe to 208 runs. Maheesh Theekshana’s impressive performance, claiming 4 wickets for 31 runs, led the bowling attack.
While the bowlers delivered, the batting lineup has room for improvement. Avishka Fernando’s struggles in the opening slot and Kusal Mendis’ inability to convert starts into substantial innings are areas of concern. The middle order, featuring Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, and Sahan Arachchige, has shown firepower. Sri Lanka will aim for a more cohesive batting display.
Zimbabwe: Despite a spirited performance in the second ODI, Zimbabwe faced disappointment in ending up on the losing side. Captain Craig Ervine’s stellar 82-run innings showcased his brilliant form. Joylord Gumbie, Milton Shumba, and Ryan Burl contributed with promising starts, providing hope for a series-leveling win.
The challenge for Zimbabwe lies in overcoming Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. The batting unit, including Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Sikandar Raza, needs to find its rhythm. Richard Ngarava’s impressive five-wicket haul in the previous match makes him a key player in the pace department alongside Blessing Muzarabani and Faraz Akram. The spin trio of Raza, Tapiwa Mufudza, and Ryan Burl will aim to capitalize on the conditions.
Toss Prediction
Winning the toss may lead the team to opt for batting first, considering the challenging conditions at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Pitch and Conditions
The R. Premadasa Stadium pitch poses challenges for batsmen, with early seam movement and assistance for spinners later in the innings. The overcast conditions provide seamers with swing opportunities. The batsmen must display patience, and anything above 250 becomes a challenging chase. Warm and humid weather, coupled with intermittent drizzles, adds complexity to the match.
Betting Tips
While Zimbabwe displayed resilience in the second ODI, Sri Lanka, at least on paper, remains the stronger team. Familiarity with conditions and the presence of in-form batsmen make Sri Lanka the favored side. Betting on Sri Lanka to secure the victory appears to be a prudent choice.
As Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe gear up for the final showdown, cricket enthusiasts can anticipate an intriguing battle for series supremacy at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
