Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions: Zimbabwe Tour of Sri Lanka, 2024 - Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka - 1st ODI Match - 6 January 2024

The 1st ODI match of the Zimbabwe Tour of Sri Lanka will be played between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka on the 6th of January at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

LIVE SCORES - Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka - 1st ODI Match - 6 January 2024

Zimbabwe have been in an ordinary form lately. They recently failed to qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

They last played an ODI series against Ireland in which they emerged losers by a 2-0 margin.

In the ICC Men's World Cup Qualifier, they started off well but then lost consecutive matches against Sri Lanka and Scotland and failed to qualify.

Their mainstay batters Sikandar Raza, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Clive Madande are in great form with the bat. Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava are also giving tough time to the opposition batters but they haven't been able to produce complete team performance in the recent past to win big games.

Players to look out for:

1. Sikandar Raza - He is the torch bearer for Zimbabwe cricket in recent times. Raza can change the course of the game in a matter of few overs. He is a key batter for Zimbabwe and the management would expect him to step up against Sri Lanka.

2. Richard Ngarava - He is the strike bowler for Zimbabwe who bowls in the right areas often and manufactures wickets with his disciplined bowling.

Current ODI Form Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka performed poorly in the recently concluded ICC Men's World Cup. They managed to win only two out of all the league games they played.

In absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, their bowling seemed below par. The likes of Maheesh Theekshana and Dasun Shanaka also failed to produce wickets in regular intervals.

In the batting department, Kusal Mendis showed a lot of promise in the initial stages of the World Cup but couldn't continue.

Sri Lanka will have to face a tough competition from Zimbabwe in the ODI series and they will have to come out with their A game to emerge trumps.

Players to look out for:

1. Avishka Fernando - He is a powerful striker of the cricket ball and is also capable to play long innings in the ODI format. Fernando played well in the 2019 World Cup but couldn't get enough chances after that. If he gets going, Zimbabwe will feel the pressure in the 3 match ODI series.

2. Maheesh Theekshana - His record against Zimbabwe has been spectacular in the past. Theekshana bowls with great accuracy and reaps rewards with his consistency and variations.

Let’s have a look at the squads:

Sri Lanka ODI squad:

Kusal Mendis (captain/wicket-keeper), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wicket-keeper), Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga (subject to fitness)

Zimbabwe ODI squad:

Craig Ervine (captain), Faraz Akram, Ryan Burl, Joylord Gumbie (wicket-keeper), Luke Jongwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande (wicket-keeper), Wellington Masakadza, Tapiwa Mufudza, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Shumba Milton

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Sri Lanka

Who will win?- Sri Lanka

Top Batter (Runs Scored) - Avishka Fernando (Sri Lanka), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) - Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka), Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe)

Most Fours – Avishka Fernando (Sri Lanka), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)

Player of the Match- Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka)

Team Scores Batting first – Sri Lanka 270+, Zimbabwe 250+

Match Handicap: Sri Lanka

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

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