Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, Tri Series Final, Preview: Sri Lanka favorites as Zimbabwe chase history

Zimbabwe will step into the finals of the tri-series with a thought of creating history in their mind. Having seen a major slump in form in the last decade, the win might pretty well mean a resurgence in cricket for them. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been dominant thus far. A defeat in the series opener was a rare blemish of their dominating tour of Zimbabwe thus far. They will be hoping to end things on a high with a final win.

In the recent matches that the teams have faced off against each other, Sri Lanka thoroughly dominated the hosts. While Zimbabwe has looked good in their matches against West Indies, they have been scatterplots against Sri Lanka. No discipline and coordination among the three departments have seen them struggling against the Sri Lankan team. If the hosts wish to go against the odds, they will have to play their skins out. Having said that, they have nothing to lose while Sri Lanka might have their pride at stake.

Team News:

Zimbabwe

The hosts have not tinkered with their team much in all the matches that they have played thus far. It is highly unlikely that they will change their lineup for the final. Only an injury can see them enforce a change in the big final. They will look to create another upset after having ousted West Indies from the run to the finals.

Having included Hamilton Masakadza in the lineup, they strengthened their batting in the previous game. Chris Mpofu might miss out in the finals as well and an extra batsman might do the trick for the hosts.

Sri Lanka

The visitors have been in a good touch in the series so far. Having seen the Zimbabweans struggle against the turning ball, they might feel like adding a spinner to their lineup. There are no injury concerns as of now for them. Nuwan Pradeep might make way for Jeffrey Vandersay.

They have kept their top order and middle order fixed through the series. The batting has not been a concern for them and the all-rounders seem to be doing a decent job for them. This fancies Vandersay’s chances of playing in the final.

Match facts:

Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Weather: Persistent passing showers threaten the match yet again. Possible rain in the afternoon session.

Time: 09:30 local time, 13:00 IST

Probable XI:

Zimbabwe: Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Peter Moor (wk), Graeme Cremer (c), Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chisoro.

Sri Lanka: Dhanjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga (c), Asela Gunaratne, Shehan Jayasuriya, Sachith Pathirana, Nuwan Kulasekara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Suranga Lakmal.

StAttack:

• Six years ago, Sri Lanka played the hosts in another tri-series final. They had emerged victorious with 9 wickets in the finals then.
• Zimbabwe has never won a tri-series at home. They have hosted 5 tri-series thus far, this being the fifth. This is the second time they have made it to the finals.
• Hamilton Masakadza had scored over 1000 ODI runs at the venue. He is the only batsman to have achieved this distinction.
• At this very venue at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe has the distinction of chasing down 328 in an ODI. They have chased in excess of 300 only twice.
• Sean Williams and Chamu Chibhabha became 15th and 16th players to play 100 or more ODIs for Zimbabwe when they took the field against West Indies.