Zimbabwe
Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will start their white-ball series with the first ODI at Harare Sports Club. The series will have 2 ODIs followed by 3 T20Is. Both sides will look to begin with a strong performance in the opening game.
Sri Lanka will come into this contest with solid form in recent ODIs. They have won 4 of their last 5 matches, showing consistency in both batting and bowling. Their last ODI series against Zimbabwe in 2024 ended 2-0 in their favour, with the first match abandoned due to rain.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have managed only 2 wins in their last 5 ODIs. Their form has been patchy, and they will need key contributions from their top order to compete strongly. In head-to-head ODIs, Sri Lanka has dominated by winning 4 of the last 5 matches, with 3 of those victories coming in successful chases.
Sri Lanka’s opening pair looks stronger than Zimbabwe’s as Pathum Nissanka is in top form and Pavan Rathnayake is coming in with recent big scores against Australia A.
The betting tip is...
Highest Opening Partnership - Sri Lanka
60 %
40 %
ZimbabweSri LankaZimbabwe will welcome back Brendan Taylor for the ODI series against Sri Lanka as he returns after serving his ban. His last ODI appearance came in September 2021 against Ireland, and he recently made his international comeback in the Test series against New Zealand. Craig Ervine will lead the 16-member squad in what will be Zimbabwe’s first ODI assignment since February.
Along with Taylor and Ervine, Raza and Williams are the most experienced players in the squad.
Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans and uncapped pacer Ernest Masuku will be included in the setup, bringing a mix of youth and experience. Zimbabwe’s recent form has been poor, with heavy defeats in Tests against South Africa and New Zealand, along with a winless T20I tri-series. They will look to improve in the 50-over format.
Ervine, Taylor and Raza are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine (c), Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande, Newman Nyamhuri/Trevor Gwandu, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava.
Charith Asalanka will lead Sri Lanka in the ODI series against Zimbabwe. The squad will include uncapped batter Pavan Rathnayake, who will be in line for his international debut.
Nuwanidu Fernando has also been recalled after consistent domestic performances, having last played an ODI in January 2023. Both Nuwanidu and Pavan scored centuries against Australia A recently, which will boost their confidence ahead of this series.
Sadeera Samarawickrama has also returned to the squad, with his last ODI appearance coming in November 2024. Avishka Fernando, Eshan Malinga, and the injured Wanindu Hasaranga will not feature. Hasaranga is still recovering from a hamstring injury picked up against Bangladesh.
In his absence, Jeffrey Vandersay and Maheesh Theekshana will lead the spin attack, supported by all-rounders Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis, and Asalanka. The pace unit will include Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Milan Rathnayake.
Nissanka, Mendis and Asalanka are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka
Sri Lanka will enter this match with a much stronger batting unit compared to Zimbabwe. Pathum Nissanka has been in excellent form and will be crucial at the top of the order. Alongside him, young Pavan Rathnayake is expected to open and will add stability with his recent big scores in domestic cricket.
With Nissanka, Rathnayake, and Kusal Mendis averaging 59.63 in their last 9 matches and skipper Charith Asalanka averaging 49.0 in the same period, Sri Lanka’s top order looks far more reliable than Zimbabwe’s.
Zimbabwe’s bowling could still pose some challenges, but their batting has struggled for consistency. The strength of Sri Lanka’s opening pair, backed by solid middle-order support, should give them an early advantage in this contest.
