Zimbabwe one win away from final
Overview
Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
Mirpur
Match 4, 06:00 GMT, Sunday 21 January
After a thrilling win against these opponents in the second match of this series, Zimbabwe will be looking to make it two out of two against Sri Lanka and put themselves into the final against hosts Bangladesh. It was Zimbabwe’s third consecutive ODI win against Sri Lanka having beaten them twice in Hambantota in July.
For Sri Lanka, there is a desperate need to turnaround their form in ODI cricket. They have lost their last four matches and have just one win in their last 17 fixtures in one-day cricket. In 2017 they lost 23 of their 29 ODIs. The recent addition of former Bangladesh coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, has been seen as a positive for this team, but it hasn’t translated into positive results – yet.
Sri Lanka’s talismanic captain, Angelo Mathews, will miss this match with a hamstring injury. If they make it to the final he may well return to the team. Dinesh Chandimal will lead the side in his absence.
You can follow the match live here.
Form men
Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)
There have been very few standout performances from Sri Lanka in this series so far, but Thisara Perera is the one man who has some serious form behind him in these matches. His 64 from 37 balls in the first match between these two teams was almost enough to see his side home, and he has five wickets in his two matches so far meaning he tops the batting and the bowling averages for his team.
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
There have been runs and wickets for Sikandar Raza in this series thus far. He made 52 and took 2/53 against Bangladesh and his explosive 81 not out against Sri Lanka is the innings of the tri-series to date. If Zimbabwe make the final, Raza's contribution against Bangladesh will be very telling on the result.
Conditions
There is no rain forecast for Sunday with a predicted top temperature of 26°C. Hazy sunshine is expected but it should be perfect conditions for cricket. In the previous match at this stadium Bangladesh piled on 320/7, so there are runs in this pitch.
Dangermen
Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe)
It was Masakadza’s 73 that helped set up Zimbabwe’s victory in their first fixture against Sri Lanka, and he is so important to getting his team off to a strong start. He can be hit and miss, but if Masakadza can fire and set a solid foundation at the top of the order his side will be in a very strong position to make the final.
Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka)
The one member of the Sri Lanka top-order with a decent innings behind him in this series, Perera has the ability to get his team off to a strong start when they bat. He made a steady 80 opening the batting against Zimbabwe in the first match between these two teams, Sri Lanka need something similar to turn things around. He is certainly capable of it.
Sri Lanka squad:
Angelo Mathews (capt), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Wanidu Hasaranga
Zimbabwe squad:
Graeme Cremer (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Malcolm Waller, Ryan Murray, Tendai Chisoro, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis