Image: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe / © X (Twitter)
Sri Lanka has a flawless 3-0 record, and they demolished Australia by eight wickets in their last match. The outcome and the lead-up to it have revitalized a fan base that had been quite stagnant, given the horrible turn of fortunes experienced in the run-up to the tournament. This time, however, expectations are so high that the brassy rhythms of Papare bands will be starting, especially since this game will involve no actual danger.
On the other side of the aisle, the Castle Corner loyal are not left out, as they too have every reason to sing, and they do feel a certain kinship with their Sri Lankan counterparts. There are certain similarities in the path of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. On the one hand, both of them came to the tournament in a bad patch of games, but on the other, both teams were able to beat Australia decisively to feed their ever-increasing expectations.
And although the Irish, who were mathematically doomed to lose in an anti-climactic washout, only saved their qualification, their supporters, with their soulful choral harmonies and rhythmic war-cries, will surely be seeking to offset beat with beat the local Papare beat in Colombo.
However, when it comes to the issues of actual on-pitch action, Sri Lanka has a detailed 8-3 record in the T20Is against Zimbabwe, but two of those defeats have taken place in the last year, and on both occasions the Sri Lankan team has been skittled out at less than 100. Momentum, as well, will be an issue with both parties desiring to move to the Super 8s.
Sri Lanka will most probably have the sole back-up seamer in their team: Pramod Madushan with Matheesha Pathirana. Dilshan Madushanka has also been called up as a replacement, and this may also have Dushmantha Chameera getting a rest.
It can be assumed that Zimbabwe will stick with the proven XI, and Richard Ngarava may even come back to the team, having not been used against Australia as a precaution.
Sri Lanka will need to curb their expectations with regard to their batting from chasing down 180-plus in Pallekele, after which they will have to switch the batting focus towards the Khettarama in Colombo, where the conditions should be more on the tacky side. The highest score at the venue during this World Cup is 182 by Australia against Ireland, and the only bigger score was in 2018. There will be a little rainfall in the daytime, and hopefully, it will be clear in the evening.