SL vs ZIM 1st T20 Match Prediction & Betting Tips
After the ODI series finished with Sri Lanka winning 2-0, they will now go head to head in the first of the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka lost their last T20I to New Zealand by 4 wickets last April with Zimbabwe losing to Ireland by 6 wickets in their last game in this format. This series takes place at the R Premadasa Stadium and gets underway on Sunday evening at 19:00 local time.
Sri Lanka may not have played in this format for a while but all of their players have featured in various T20 leagues over the last six months. They were too strong in the final ODI and we expect them to come out on top once more in this opening T20I.
Zimbabwe lost heavily in the final ODI but will come into this game with a different energy and with a new captain. However, playing against Sri Lanka in Colombo is always very tough irrespective of the opposition and we expect the visitors to struggle once more.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 Match Live Streaming
TV channels: You can watch this match on Sony Sports Ten 5.
Live Streaming: The fixture will be live-streamed on SonyLiv and FanCode.
SL vs ZIM Match Toss Prediction
The last four and six of the last seven T20Is at this venue have been won by the team fielding first. Therefore, our prediction is that both teams will want to field first ahead of the toss.
SL vs ZIM Pitch Report
The R Premadasa Stadium surface is always one which turns without a huge amount of bounce. And after the ODI series, we can expect no change to the pace in the wicket.
Colombo Weather Report
There is no rain forecast for Colombo on Sunday evening. It will be hot throughout this game with the temperature in the high 20s.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 2024
Sri Lanka Team News & Playing 11
SL Team News
There will be plenty of positivity in the home squad after they won the ODI series 2-0 but there will be changes in this shorter format series. Wanindu Hasaranga will captain the side for the first time but we expect Pathum Nissanka to not have recovered from injury in time for this game.
SL Key Players
- Kusal Mendis- the ODI captain will return to the ranks as merely a top order keeper-batter in this game. He will be looking to add to his 12 scores of 50+ in T20Is.
- Angelo Mathews- the 36 year old who has played in over 400 internationals is set to play his first T20I since March 2021. He has hit five T20I half-centuries so far in his career.
- Wanindu Hasaranga- the captain and bowling all-rounder is arriving at his best format and will be full of self-belief after taking 7/19 in the final ODI.
- Matheesha Pathirana- the young right-arm pace bowler with a slingy action lost a bit of confidence during the 2023 Cricket World Cup but he has impressed in domestic cricket over the last couple of months.
SL Team Form
Sri Lanka have not won any of their last five games in this format but they will bring momentum through from the ODI series.
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing 11
Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Akila Dananjaya, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana
Zimbabwe Team News & Playing 11
ZIM Team News
After an overwhelming defeat in the final ODI of the series at this venue on Thursday, it will be very tough for Zimbabwe to turn their mentality around for this game. After Craig Ervine captained during the ODIs, Sikandar Raza will lead in this series.
ZIM Key Players
- Sikandar Raza- the all-rounder has been batting consistently across T20Is over the last few years. On a spinning track he will be very useful with both bat and ball.
- Ryan Burl- the experienced middle-order batter comes into this match after scores of 38 not out and 36 from his last two T20I innings.
- Richard Ngarava- the 26 year old pacer would not typically be the type of bowler to succeed at the R Premadasa Stadium but he picked up eight wickets across the ODI series.
- Blessing Muzarabani- the right-arm fast medium bowler will look to strike early with the new ball. He needs one more dismissal to bring up 50 T20Is.
ZIM Team Form
Zimbabwe lost their last two T20Is to Ireland but had won their previous three games in this format.
Zimbabwe Predicted Playing 11
Sikandar Raza (c), Milton Shumba, Clive Madande (wk), Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Carl Mumba, Luke Jongwe, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsely Ndlovu
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Head to Head
This will be the fourth T20I between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe with Sri Lanka winning all of the previous three. The last T20I clash between the sides was in 2012 with Sri Lanka winning by 82 runs.
SL vs ZIM Head to Head Stats in T20s
| |
Matches Played |
SL Won |
ZIM Won |
Tie |
NR |
| Overall |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Last 5 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Betting Odds
Sri Lanka are favourites to go 1-0 up in the series and they can be backed at 1.16 with the bookies. Zimbabwe are 4.50 to pull off a surprise victory.
Who will win Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 Match?
Zimbabwe could be more competitive in this shorter format but they will be up against a group of players with strong levels of confidence at the R Premadasa Stadium. Sri Lanka are always a very tough opposition when playing at home.
🏆 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Prediction
We could see a slight narrowing of the gap between the sides with this T20I series taking over immediately after the ODIs. However, the gap is immense and Sri Lanka were in no mood to take it easy in the final ODIs. We can expect to see some innovative captaincy with both skippers looking to do anything to get off to a winning start in the series but we do not think Zimbabwe will have enough quality. Zimbabwe will be heavily reliant on Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava and we think that Sri Lanka will take advantage. Our prediction is for Sri Lanka to win and go 1-0 up.
Sri Lanka to beat Zimbabwe in 1st T20
Jan 14, 2024
19:00 IST / 13:30 GMT
R. Premadasa Stadium - Colombo, Sri Lanka
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