Probable XI –
Sri Lanka –
Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka (c), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama
Zimbabwe –
Wesley Madhevere, Milton Shumba, Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Ryan Burl, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara
Small League Combination 1 –
1. Dinesh Chandimal
2. Craig Ervine
3. Kushal Mendis
4. Charith Asalanka/Pathum Nissanaka
5. Sean Williams(VC)
6. Sikandar Raza
7. Ryan Burl
8. Ramesh Mendis(C)
9. Praveen Jayawickrama
10. Maheesh Theekshana
11. Dushmantha Chameera/Nuwan Pradeep
– Taking risk on Ramesh Mendis as captain who’s expected to bat at middle order and will be crucial with his spin bowling at this surface.
– Sean Williams looks safest VC choice considering his middle order batting and atleast 5-6 overs with the bowl.
– Take anyone from Pathum Nissanaka or Charith Asalanka as both have done well in recent times.
– Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl will be crucial considering their All-rounder roles.
– Maheesh Theekshana and Praveen Jayawickrama might be good picks considering the spin favoured Srilankan pitches.
– Take anyone from Nuwan Pradeep or Dushmantha Chameera as both are expected to bowl in death overs.
Small League Combination 2 –
1. Dinesh Chandimal
2. Pathum Nissanaka
3. Charith Asalanka(C)
4. Kushal Mendis
5. Sean Williams
6. Sikandar Raza
7. Ryan Burl
8. Ramesh Mendis
9. Maheesh Theekshana(VC)
10. Praveen Jayawickrama
11. Blessing Muzarabani
– Charith Asalanka looks safest captain pick considering his excellent numbers at venue and part time spin bowling.
– Maheesh Theekshana might be a good VC choice as he can easily get 2-3 wickets at this surface.
– Blessing Muzarabani might be another good pick considering his recent times consistency to take wickets.
– Can take Madhevere at the place of Ryan Burl as he’s expected to open the innings and bowl some overs also.
– Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne are other good choices for SL combinations.
Grand League Combination –
1. Dinesh Chandimal
2. Charith Asalanka
3. Craig Ervine
4. Milton Shumba
5. Ryan Burl(VC)
6. Sean Williams
7. Chamika Karunaratne(C)
8. Ramesh Mendis
9. Maheesh Theekshana
10. Blessing Muzarabani
11. Luke Jongwe
– Going a bit heavy on Zimbabwe who might put up a surprising show to win this match.
– Chamika Karunaratne looks open captain choice as he might come good with bat if top order batters doesn’t do well and expected to bowl 5-6 overs too.
– Ryan Burl might be a good VC choice considering his three down batting and atleast 4-5 overs with the bowl.
– Milton Shumba and can be a decent GL pick as he’s expected to open the innings and bowl part time overs.
– Luke Jongwe can come handy with bat at down the order and expected to bowl full overs which makes him a good GL pick.
– Must rotate Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza and Dasun Shanaka in different combinations of GL.