Unchanged Zimbabwe opt to bat against Sri Lanka

BULAWAYO: Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer chose to bat on an overcast morning for the second consecutive match in Bulawayo. With one loss and one tie, Zimbabwe need to win against Sri Lanka to stay alive in the tri-series. Despite overnight rain and gloomy conditions, both captains wanted to bat first.

After being routed by Sri Lanka in the tri-series opener, Zimbabwe earned a thrilling tie against West Indies on Saturday after Donald Tiripano conceded just three off the final over. Zimbabwe named an unchanged side from that match.

Sri Lanka made two changes to the team that lost their previous game, against West Indies in Bulawayo. Allrounder Dasun Shanaka and legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay were brought in for Shehan Jayasuriya and fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep. Both inclusions have played a combined 10 ODIs.

Just after the toss, a steady drizzle turned heavier to delay the start of play.

Zimbabwe: Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Peter Moor (wk), Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer (captain), Donald Tiripano, Chris Mpofu, Tendai Chisoro

Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Asela Gunaratne, Sachith Pathirana, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Jeffrey Vandersay