Zimbabwe Opt to Bowl Against Sri Lanka in First ODI as Ervine Ruled Out

Zimbabwe has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening ODI of their series against Sri Lanka in Harare. Stand-in captain Sean Williams will lead the team in the absence of regular skipper Craig Ervine, who was ruled out of the series due to a calf strain sustained on the morning of the match.

The Zimbabwean team has opted for a pace-heavy attack, fielding three frontline seamers: Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Trevor Gwandu. The match commenced at 9:30 AM local time, with conditions expected to favor the bowlers early on.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, has recalled Kusal Mendis, who returns to international cricket for the first time in 2025. Their bowling attack also features three fast bowlers: Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka.

Playing XIs

• Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
• Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams (capt.), Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu.