Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20 Predictions & Tips - Ervine can inspire Zimbabwe victory

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 18 Jan 2024

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Ralph Staniforth 18 Jan 2024

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Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe predictions for Thursday’s T20I cricket match
Mathews has been in superb form over his last 2 innings
Can Zimbabwe claim an away series win?

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Zimbabwe can win T20 series (Getty Images)

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Predictions

The series is level at 1-1 with one to play. Both sides have won games they probably should have lost, which makes for an intriguing final game. I reckon there is value in backing Zimbabwe to cause an upset.

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Predictions
Head to Head
Sri Lanka Form
Sri Lanka Injuries & Team News
Zimbabwe Form
Zimbabwe Injuries & Team News

Sri Lanka have won 4 of their last 5 T20I matches against Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews has scored 46 & 66* runs in his last 2 matches.
Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine scored 70 runs in his last match.

Head to Head

Sri Lanka have won four of their last five T20I against Zimbabwe. However, Zimbabwe won the last game to level the current series at 1-1.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka won the first match of the series to take a 1-0 lead and would have fancied themselves in the second game. However, the visitors upset the odds to claim a four-wicket win.

Batting first, Sri Lanka started poorly as they were 27-4 after five overs. Charith Asalanka and Angelo Mathews came to the rescue with a 118-run partnership with Asalanka top scoring with 69 runs and Mathews adding 66 in a total of 173.

The bowlers however couldn’t defend a total they probably should have as Zimbabwe went on to score the winning runs off the penultimate delivery of the match.

Sri Lanka Injuries & Team News

Sri Lanka may look to make a couple changes if a bid to secure the series win in the decider.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe came within a whisker of winning the first T20I of the series. Despite suffering that narrow defeat, they bounced back to win the second match and give themselves a shot at an away series win.

In the 2nd T20I, Zimbabwe bowled brilliantly up front. They did lose a bit of control through the middle overs which allowed the hosts to score 173, a par score for the wicket.

Craig Ervine lead the charge with the bat, scoring 70 off 54 balls at the top of the order. While it very much looked like the hosts were going to claim the series later on, Luke Jongwe (25 off 12 balls) and Clive Madande (15 off 5 balls) ensured Zimbabwe chased the score with a ball to spare.

Zimbabwe Injuries & Team News

Zimbabwe put up a good fight in the first T20 so they should remain unchanged.

Verdict

Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe - 3rd Twenty20 Match

I am backing Zimbabwe to win the 3rd T20I against Sri Lanka with Craig Ervine set to top score again.

For the hosts I am looking no further than Angelo Mathews after batting superbly in this series.

Zimbabwe Win

Result

@6/4 - 3 Units

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with bonus code NEWBONUS

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Bet at bet365

Craig Ervine

Best Zimbabwe Batsman

@5/2 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Bet at bet365

Angelo Mathews

Best Sri Lanka Batsman

@7/2 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS