Sri Lanka cricket team
SL vs. ZIM: Sri Lanka's first ODI against Zimbabwe at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, January 6 was abandoned due to rain. After a disappointing season at the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, the new-look Sri Lanka team returned to international cricket and struggled to make a mark before the match was abandoned by the umpires. Even against a weak team like Zimbabwe, the Sri Lankan team did not look particularly strong, which gives them cause for concern.
There was no life in hitting
Charith Asalanka's brilliant century was the only positive for Sri Lanka as they batted first, scoring 273 runs for nine wickets in 50 overs. Zimbabwe lost opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and captain Craig Erwin with just five runs on the scoreboard, but rain saved the visitors in Colombo. The Sri Lankan team showed strength in their bowling.
New captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bat first and batting all-rounder Zenith Liyanage made his debut in the match. But Zimbabwe got off to a good start in the first over with the wicket of Avishka Fernando, who replaced the injured Pathum Nissanka. However, Kusal and Sadira Samarawickrama kept Sri Lanka in the game by adding 63 runs for the second wicket. But the established pair were eliminated after more than 40 runs as Sri Lanka failed to find consistency in the middle overs.
Bowler impressed
Asalanka kept the scoreboard ticking at one end as he scored his third ODI century but received no support from his teammates. Debutant Liyanage scored 24 runs off 34 balls while the likes of Dasun Shankana and returnee Sahan Arachige struggled to make an impact. Asalanka was the top scorer with 101 runs off 95 balls while Maddis was the second highest run scorer with 46 runs. Dilshan Madushanka, who took 21 wickets in just nine innings in the recent World Cup, ensured instant success for Sri Lanka by taking two wickets in the third over, but Rain had other plans for the day.
Plays against 11 players from both teams
Zimbabwe plays with eleven: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Craig Ervin (captain), Milton Shumba, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (week), Faraz Akram, Richard Ngarwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tapiwa Mufudza.
Sri Lanka plays with eleven: Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (Captain & WK), Sadira Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Zenith Liyanage, Sahan Arachige, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahish Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dilshan Madushanka.