SL vs ZIM Match Preview- 3rd T20I, 2024

The SL vs ZIM third and final T20I will be played in Colombo on January 18. The match starts at 7 pm IST. The series is leveled after Zimbabwe’s win in the second T20I. Both teams now have an equal chance to win the series.

Zimbabwe won the second T20I chasing 174 to win. They won in the penultimate ball of the match with Luke Jongwe (25 off 12 *) and Live Madande (15 off 5) scoring 20 off the final over. It was Craig Ervine’s 70 off 54 balls that set up the innings for Zimbabwe. Jongwe and Madende’s heroics then helped Zimbabwe win their very first T20I match against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka earlier in the game, scored 173/6 batting first. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga was leading Sri Lanka in just his second T20I. They were rocked early and were tottering at 27/4. Charith Asalamnka (69) and Angelo Mathews (66*) then added a 118-run stand to take the hosts to a competitive total.

For Zimbabwe, the win was a momentous occasion as it was their very first win against the Islanders. They have leveled the series and now have a chance to beat Sri Lanka in a T20I series at home. Hasaranga will lead Sri Lanka while Sikandar Raza will lead Zimbabwe.

SL vs ZIM Match Preview- 3rd T20I, 2024

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s top-order is a concern after how they performed in the second T20I. They hardly made any contribution in the second T20I and need to step up with the bat in the decider. The lower order will continue to play a crucial role with Charith Asalaka and Angelo Mathes in form.

Wanindu Hasaranga is back in the side and will pair up with Maheesh Theekshana as the spin twins will look to bamboozle the opposition. Chameera and Madushanka have formed a good pace-bowling pair. They just need to be careful with their injury concerns. Batter Pathum Nissanka was ruled out of the ODI series with concerns of dengue and is back in the T20I series.

Sri Lanka Squad

Wanindu Hasaranga (captain), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Janith Perera (wicketkeeper), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka , Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Akila Dananjaya.

Zimbabwe

The second T20I win was Zimbabwe’s first-ever against Sri Lanka. They have broken the deadlock in finally the fifth game between the two sides. Sikandar Raza will lead Zimbabwe and has plenty of experienced players to fall back upon. The likes of Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Ryan Burl, and Raza himself form the batting core of the side.

The bowling looks good with Blessing Musarabani and Richard Ngarava delivering with the ball. Luke Jongwe’s all-round credentials add to the batting depth of the side. The visitors are sniffing a memorable series and the players just need to replicate their form. Heading into the decider, they are unlikely to change their playing XI given their inspirational performance in the second T20I.

Zimbabwe Squad

Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Carl Mumba, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba

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