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The ODI series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka begins on Friday (August 29) at the Harare Sports Club, with the visitors entering as clear favourites. Backed by stronger recent form, a dominant head-to-head record, and a well-rounded squad, Sri Lanka will be looking to start on the front foot.
Sri Lanka have won four of the last five ODIs against Zimbabwe, often by convincing margins. Their batting unit looks in prime touch, led by captain Charith Asalanka and the reliable Kamindu Mendis, both capable of anchoring innings or shifting gears quickly. On the bowling front, the spin threat of Maheesh Theekshana and their disciplined pace options provide a balance that makes them dangerous in all conditions.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle. Their reliance on experienced campaigners Craig Ervine and Sean Williams is well known, but questions remain about their depth. Inconsistency, especially with the bat, has hurt them in recent series. The younger players will need to step up if Zimbabwe have to compete on equal terms.
ZIM vs SL, 1st ODI: Match Details
- Date and Time: August 29; 1:00 pm IST/ 7:30 am GMT/ 9:30 am local
- Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
ZIM vs SL: Head-to-Head Record in ODIs
Matches played: 64 | Zimbabwe won: 12 | Sri Lanka won: 49 | No result: 03
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
The Harare Sports Club has long been known for its balanced surface, a pitch that keeps both batters and bowlers interested while constantly evolving over the course of an ODI. It’s a ground where momentum can shift quickly, making every phase of the game crucial.
In the opening 10 to 15 overs, the quick bowlers are in business. The pitch retains a bit of moisture early on, offering seam movement and an unpredictable bounce that makes life difficult for top-order batters. New-ball spells here often set the tone, with early wickets shaping the rest of the contest.
As the surface settles, batting becomes more comfortable. The ball comes onto the bat nicely, allowing stroke-makers to express themselves. This is usually the period when teams look to build strong partnerships and push the scoring rate.
But the challenge returns in the later stages. The pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into play. They get grip and turn, forcing batters into risky shots. Chasing teams often struggle in this phase, as stroke-making becomes increasingly difficult under pressure.
ZIM vs SL, 1st ODI: Predicted XI of both teams
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine (c), Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor (wk), Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana
Also READ: Brendan Taylor returns as Zimbabwe name squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka
ZIM vs SL, 1st ODI: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Zimbabwe wins the toss and bats first
- ZIM powerplay score: 40-50
- ZIM total score: 230-250
Case 2:
- Sri Lanka wins the toss and bats first
- SL powerplay score: 60-70
- SL total score: 270-290
Match result: Sri Lanka to win the contest.
Also READ: Sri Lanka announce 17-member squad for T20I series against Zimbabwe, Charith Asalanka to lead
