Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will move into their final group stage T20 World Cup match at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo today having the last laugh after knocking out Australia who were the bookmakers’ favourites to top the group for a place in the Super Eights.
Zimbabwe are currently the team on the rise and are touted as the Dark Horse in some quarters.
The Zimbabweans have in their ranks a potent weapon in fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani who has shown he could be a very tough opponent to deal with and it will be a test for Sri Lanka’s top order batsmen.
Zimbabwe started off their campaign in style demolishing Oman by eight wickets after bowling them out for just 103 runs and then showed they were not around just to make up the numbers when they sent Australia packing to win by 23 runs signalling they mean business.
Defending what may have looked like a getable score after Zimbabwe made 169, the Australians in all probability underestimated the bowlers, especially the fast duo of Muzarabani and Brad Evans who accounted for seven wickets as they fell for a total of 146.
It was a pity that rain got in the way of Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland where not a ball was bowled at Pallekele. But the occasion in no way dampened the spirits of the Zimbabweans who will be aiming for a repeat of what they did against Australia when they take on the unpredictable Sri Lanka outfit.
Sri Lanka on the other hand has been fortunate to have played in more matches than Zimbabwe in the run-up to the contest that will be another test for both teams on the day.
Sri Lanka has mostly depended on batters Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis to lead from the front while Pavan Ratnayake and skipper Dasun Shanaka have yet to be consistent at the crease.
It will also be interesting to find out how Sri Lanka will be able to contain Zimbabwe’s batters in the absence of strike bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and Matheesha Pathirana, both inflicted with injuries with the former already ruled out of the rest of the matches the team will play in.
For the record Zimbabwe have lost only four wickets in both their matches against Oman and Australia and the outcome of today’s match will very much depend on how the Sri Lankan bowlers will be able to contain them.
Squads:
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (captain), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Mazakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Pavan Ratnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dushan Hemantha, Dulith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushanka
