Liyanage, Akram, Mufuzda handed debuts as Sri Lanka bat first against Zimbabwe
Written by I Dig SportsToss Sri Lanka opt to bat vs ZImbabwe
Looking to change their ODI fortunes around, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis chose to bat first in Khettarama against a Zimbabwe side that is also searching for a way to turn their tide.
Zimbabwe will miss the in-form Sean Williams, who didn't travel with the squad to Sri Lanka due to injury, but the captain Craig Ervine's return after a layoff will bolster their side.
The pitch report suggested the batting side would aim for a score of 280 to 300. But with grey clouds and the ground staff already lurking in the backdrop, there could be rain delays this afternoon.
Sri Lanka: 1 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 4 Janith Liyanage, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Sahan Arachchige, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Jeffrey Vandersay, 11 Dilshan Madushanka
Zimbabwe: 1 Takudzawanshe Kaitano, 2 Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 3 Craig Ervine (capt), 4 Milton Shumba, 5 Sikandar Raza, 6 Ryan Burl, 7 Clive Madande (wk), 8 Faraz Akram, 9 Richard Ngarava, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Tapiwa Mufudza.