SL vs ZIM Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Jan 18, 2024
With the 3-match T20 series evenly poised at 1-1, Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe for a virtual final on Thursday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe head-to-head record
Both teams have played 5 T20Is against each other so far. Sri Lanka has won 4 of those, while Zimbabwe won the most recent encounter.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Live-streaming and Broadcast
This match can be live-streamed on the Sony Liv App or FanCode App. One can also catch the live action of this game on Sony Sports Network.
SL vs ZIM Team Previews
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka had a good chance of clinching the series on Tuesday, but their bowling wasn’t up to the mark as they failed to defend 173 on a pitch that was quite helpful to the bowlers.
The spinners will once again be the key for the home team. Maheesh Theekshana has picked up 2 wickets in both of his outings so far and has received good support from skipper Wanindu Hasaranga. The seamers however have struggled to leave a mark.
While Dushmantha Chameera has picked up 3 wickets, he has given away over 8 runs per over. Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, and Dasun Shanaka have all failed to pick up wickets so far. Coming to the batting, Angelo Mathews is in prime form, scoring 112 runs in 2 innings.
He, along with Charith Asalanka will be the key player for the hosts. The form of the top order, including Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Perera, and Pathum Nissanka isn’t in the best of forms and that is something the team would like to improve before this match.
Sri Lanka Playing 11
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanidu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe will be delighted with the way the team played in the second ODI. The team secured a historic T20 win against Zimbabwe and also managed to level the series to take it to the last match.
Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Craig Ervine are likely to open the batting for the visitors. Kamunhukamwe has got good starts in both of his innings but has yet to play a big inning. However, Craig Ervine played a brilliant knock of 70 from just 54 deliveries to set the pace for a successful chase.
In addition, Zimbabwe has plenty of firepower in its batting thanks to the likes of Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and Brian Bennett. Clive Madande and Luke Jongwe put up an excellent cameo in the last match to see their team through and something similar will be expected from them in this game.
Blessing Muzarabani is the top performer with the ball and has picked up 4 wickets. Richard Ngarava however hasn’t been able to emulate the form from the ODI series and has been quite expensive as well. Sikandar Raza on the other hand has given away less than 5 runs per over and has also picked up 3 wickets.
Zimbabwe Playing 11
Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Tony Munyonga, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava.
SL vs ZIM Toss Prediction
The team winning the toss will likely opt to bowl first.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
The pitch in Colombo is one of the more difficult surfaces to bat on. The surface is dry and slow and the ball stops a bit on bouncing. Playing shots wouldn’t be the easiest. However, patient batsmen will be rewarded. Anything over 160 can be tricky to chase. The spinners will be the key for both teams. The weather in Colombo is warm and humid and the temperature will remain above 25 degrees Celsius.
SL vs ZIM Betting Tips
Zimbabwe put up an excellent performance in the last match to level the series. However, we feel that they will struggle to maintain that momentum. Sri Lanka remains the stronger team and is likely to end up on top in this match.
Bet on Sri Lanka to win.
Bonus Cricket Bets
Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Craig Ervine have given Zimbabwe a good start in both matches so far. On the other hand, the opening pair for Sri Lanka has struggled. We are therefore backing the visitors to put up the higher partnership.
Theekshana is the top bowler for Sri Lanka in this series. He has picked up 2 wickets in both his outings and we are backing him to do so again in this match.
The pitch at Colombo isn’t the easiest to bat on and neither of the two teams boast of reliable power hitters, so we are unlikely to see a big over in this game.
Who will win SL vs ZIM
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Match Predictions
Cricket Betting Tips
- Highest opening partnership - India W (1.55) and 1 more BANW vs INDW betting tip
- Total runs in the highest scoring over of the match - Over 22.5 (1.95) and 2 more MI vs SRH betting tips
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto to become the top batter. - 4.10 and 3 more BAN vs ZIM betting tips
- Delhi Capitals to win the toss - 1.90 and 4 more DC vs RR betting tips
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.