Sri Lanka, still licking their wounds after the heartbreak of missing out on the ICC Champions Trophy, have found a silver lining in one-day cricket. Ranked fourth in the world – their highest standing across formats – the islanders have stitched together a string of impressive results, including landmark series wins over India and Australia last year.

The two-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting in Harare today at 1pm Sri Lanka time, presents another chance to tighten their grip in the 50-over ladder. The tour also features three T20Is, with all fixtures to be played in Harare under the African sun, each a day game.

The team will travel straight to UAE from Zimbabwe for the Asia Cup that gets underway next month.

The spotlight will shine on 23-year-old dasher Pavan Rathnayake, a prolific run machine in domestic cricket, who is widely tipped to earn his maiden cap. But in the age-old balancing act between bat and ball, the selectors may yet keep him on ice, wary of the lack of bowling options in the top seven. If so, versatile left-hander Kamindu Mendis may get the nod. With Nuwanindu Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama also in the mix, Sri Lanka’s batting card looks more than capable of punching above its weight.

The pace battery will be led by the bustling Asitha Fernando, with injury-prone strike bowler Dushmantha Chameera expected to share the new ball. Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka offers variety while Milan Rathnayake will be asked to pull double duty as the seam-bowling all-rounder.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, welcome back seasoned campaigner Brendan Taylor, whose suspension for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct had kept him away from ODIs since 2021. The wicketkeeper-batter dipped his toes back into international waters during the recent Test series against New Zealand, but this will be his first 50-over outing in nearly four years.

The home side boast a spirited pace attack, spearheaded by Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, while the wily Sikandar Raza – their talisman across formats – remains the linchpin of their white-ball hopes. Craig Ervine’s men may not carry the same pedigree as years gone by, but on their day they can bloody the nose of higher-ranked opponents.

Sri Lanka (From):

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwanindu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.

Zimbabwe (From):

Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Ernest Masuku, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams.