SL vs ZIM Live Score, Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Live Score, SL vs ZIM Live Score Updates, SL vs ZIM Playing XI’s

Date:                             January 8th,  2021

Time:                             2:30 PM IST

Venue:                          Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

Match Preview

Sri Lanka will host Zimbabwe in a 3-match ODI series which get underway from the 16^th of January. After much drama, Sri Lanka have made wholesale changes for the squad for this series. Wanindu Hasaranga, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, and Dhananjaya de Silva are the main players who will miss this series due to various reasons. Dasun Shanaka will continue to lead the side. They are at 9^th in the ICC ODI rankings and the series win here will help them to gain more rating points.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, played their last ODI back in September 2021 when drew the series 1-1 against the hosts Ireland. The responsibilities are on the shoulders of Craig Ervine who will be captaining the side. Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Clive Madande are the new entrants to the squad. They had beaten Sri Lanka when they toured last time by a 3-2 margin and will look to repeat the similar performances this time around as well.

Sri Lanka Squad:

Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal(WK), Dasun Shanaka(C), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Ashian Daniel, Chamika Gunasekara, Shiran Fernando, Nimesh Vimukthi, Kamindu Mendis, Pulina Tharanga, Vishwa Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrama, Minod Bhanuka(WK)

Zimbabwe Squad:

Regis Chakabva(WK), Wesley Madhevere, Craig Ervine(C), Sean Williams, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza, Clive Madande(WK), Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Takudzwanashe Kaitano

Weather Report & Pitch Condition

The temperature is expected to hover around 29°C on the matchday with 63 % humidity and 10   km/hr wind speed. There are 49% chances of precipitation during the game.

The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a batting-friendly surface, and is expected to assist the batters once again here. Pacers might get some help towards the latter half of the match while spinners may come in handy in the middle overs.

SL vs ZIM Lineup

Keeper – Dinesh Chandimal, Regis Chakabva

Batsmen – Charith Asalanka, Craig Ervine, Kusal Mendis (C), Pathum Nissanka

All-rounders – Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza

Bowlers – Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana (VC), Tendai Chatara