SL vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction: 1st T20I Match of Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka, 2024 Playing 11, Pitch Report, Fantasy Cricket Tips for Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Dream11 Team

The first T20I between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will be played on Sunday at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Let’s take a look at our fantasy preview for this game.

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 1st T20I of Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024
14th January, 07:00 PM IST
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Table of Contents

SL vs ZIM Preview

Sri Lanka are a dominant unit with a strong track record in this format. They have a well-balanced team with many aggressive batters, capable middle-order players, and excellent bowlers. They will be the clear favorites for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe had a tough time in the recently concluded ODI series against the host, losing the series by 2-0. They also have a poor record against Sri Lanka in T20s, having lost three of their as many matches. However, they have a talented pool of players to rely on, including Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, and Richard Ngarava to turn things up this time.

Form Guide

SL: L-L-L-D-L
ZIM: L-L-W-W-W

R. Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report

The surface at R. Premadasa Stadium is suitable for batting, and batters who get themselves in can easily score runs. Pacers might help in the first half, while spinners could prove effective in the middle overs.

Last 5 T20I matches at this ground

Matches won by team batting first: 1
Matches won by team bowling first: 4
Average 1st innings score: 142
Average 2nd innings score: 134

SL Playing 11

1. Kusal Mendis (w)
2. Kusal Perera
3. Dhananjaya de Silva
4. Pathum Nissanka
5. Charith Asalanka
6. Wanindu Hasaranga (c)
7. Dasun Shanaka
8. Angelo Mathews
9. Maheesh Theekshana
10. Dilshan Madushanka
11. Dushmantha Chameera

SRI Lanka Team News

Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews, Wanindu Hasaranga(c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Kamindu Mendis, Nuwan Thushara
There has been no report of injuries.

SL Key Players

Kusal Perera Stats vs Zimbabwe in T20I

Last 5 Scores in T20I	T20I Runs at R. Premadasa Stadium	T20I Batting average	Total runs in T20I	Captain choice
33, 35, 29, 7, 7	425 runs in 14 matches	25.9	1611 Runs in 62 Matches	✅

Dhananjaya de Silva Stats vs Zimbabwe in T20I

Last 5 Scores in T20I	T20I Runs at R. Premadasa Stadium	T20I Batting average	Total runs in T20I	Vice-captain choice
20, 37, 22, 3, 8	233 runs in 11 Matches	20.89	731 runs in 39 Matches	❌

ZIM Playing 11

1. Milton Shumba
2. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe
3. Brian Bennett
4. Tony Munyonga
5. Sikandar Raza (c)
6. Ryan Burl
7. Clive Madande (wk)
8. Wellington Masakadza
9. Luke Jongwe
10. Richard Ngarava
11. Blessing Muzarabani

Zimbabwe Team News

Squad: Joylord Gumbie(w), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Milton Shumba, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tony Munyonga, Brian Bennett, Carl Mumba, Ainsley Ndlovu
There has been no report of injuries.

ZIM Key Players

Craig Ervine Stats vs Sri Lanka in T20I

Last 5 Scores in T20I	Runs against SL in T20I	T20I Batting average vs SL	Total T20I runs	Captain choice
0, 54, 17, 10, 0	10 runs in 2 matches	10.00	1349 Runs in 65 Matches	❌

Sikandar Raza Stats vs Sri Lanka in T20I

Last 5 Scores in T20I	Away stats	Runs & wickets in 2023	Total T20I runs & wickets	Vice-captain choice
37, 2, 65, 2, 2	968 runs in 47 matches	515 runs & 17 wickets in 12 matches	1774 runs & 55 wickets in 78 matches	✅

Who will win today’s match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe (1st T20I of Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024)?

Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe have met in 3 T20I matches with Sri Lanka winning 3 whereas Zimbabwe has yet to open their winning account.
Sri Lanka’s T20I record has been dismal, with the Lankan losing five home series and winning only two since 2018. In the meanwhile, Zimbabwe has lost four away series and won only one since 2019.
With home advantage, Sri Lanka are the favorite coming into this game.

SL vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction

Wicket-keepers: Kusal Mendis
Batsmen: Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera
All-rounder: Sikandar Raza, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva
Bowlers: Dilshan Madushanka, Richard Ngarava, Maheesh Theekshana

Who are Best Captain Options for SL vs ZIM Dream11 Team

For Small League, Head to Head contest: Kusal Perera, Sikandar Raza
For Grand League, Mega Contest: Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis

What are SL vs ZIM Fantasy Tips?

Kusal Perera has been brilliant at the R. Premadasa Stadium in T20s, scoring 425 runs in 14 matches, making him a top pick for mega leagues.
Sikandar Raza had a brilliant last year in this format, scoring 515 runs at an average of more than 50 while picking up 17 wickets in just 12 games, making him a multiplier pick for this game.
The likes of Ryan Burl, Kusal Mendis, and Dhananjaya de Silva have recently delivered good performances and are must-have picks for this game.