Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss and opted to bowl first against visiting Zimbabwe in the series-deciding third and final T20 International at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Thursday. (SL Vs ZIM 3rd T20I Scores | Streaming)
At the toss, Hasaranga revealed that Sri Lanka will be without Charith Asalanka due to illness. Kamindu Mendis replaced Asalanka. The hosts also brought in Dhananjaya de Silva for Kusal Perera. For Zimbabwe, Ryan Burl is out for Tony Munyonga.
Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.
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Zimbabwe: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Sean Williams, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande (wk), Tony Munyonga, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava.
Following two thrillers, a showdown for ages can be expected between two promising and equally talented sides in Colombo. In the first match, Sri Lanka escaped with a last-ball win with their former captain Angelo Mathews winning the Player of the Match award on Sunday (January 14).
Two days later, Zimbabwe broke Sri Lankan hearts with an equally stunning win with eventual Player of the Match, Luke Jongwe hitting his idol Mathews for two sixes and a four before Clive Madande's match-winning six off the penultimate delivery.
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The win, Zimbabwe's first against Sri Lanka in T20Is, makes tonight's finale a must-win outing for either side. This will be their sixth meeting in T20Is. Sri Lanka lead Zimbabwe 4-1 in the head-to-head record.
Zimbabwe's tour of Sri Lanka 2024 started with a three-legged One-Day International series. The hosts won 2-0 after the opener was declared no result due to incessant rain.
Watch the third Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe T20I cricket match on Sony Sports Network. Live streaming is available on the SonyLiv app and website.
