Having an advantage of one win, Zimbabwe will take Sri Lanka again in their 2nd match of the seven-match Tri-nation series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city today (Sunday), reports UNB.
The 4th match of the series is scheduled to begin at 12 noon (Bangladesh time) where Graeme Cremer-led Zimbabwe will take the ground to confirm the final berth with one match to spare and Sri Lanka will fight to survive in the race for the final.
The Lankans are at risk of being outclassed from the finalists' race having pointless from two outings as they conceded a huge 163-run defeat in their 2nd game against hosts Bangladesh, the side leading in the points table with 12 points and confirmed the final berth with two matches to spare.
Zimbabwe started the tournament campaign with an eight-wicket loss in the opener and found Chandika Hathurusingha's boys for a 12-run victory to collect four points.
There is vital reason for Zimbabwe to be confident that they have won their three most-recent ODIs against Sri Lanka, including two in Sri Lanka itself.
"In recent times, we have been playing spin a bit better. A lot depends on the wicket - Sri Lanka may think of adding an extra spinner instead of a seamer. But we just have to turn up tomorrow regardless of what team they pick," Zimbabwean middle order batsman Craig Ervine said before the match day on Saturday.
"I am pretty sure Sri Lanka will be very keen to bounce back. They have to win the next two games in order to get to the final. I think we have the momentum between the two sides," Ervine added when taking to media in the pre-match press conference in Mirpur.
Sri Lankans are likely to field their left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan in today's (Sunday) XI. Asela Gunaratne's place is also slightly under threat - perhaps from Danushka Gunathilaka.
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