Trivandrum: The first-ever international game at Pallekele provided lots of excitement and a minor shock result as New Zealand upset the much fancied Pakistan team. But when Sri Lanka face Zimbabwe at the same ground, the hosts should run out comfortable victors.
A mixture of poor form, injuries and vengeful weather has disrupted the Lankan campaign so far. They lost the high-profile clash against Pakistan when their pace spearhead Lasith Malinga was out injured, but once they got their side back to full fitness, rain wrecked havoc in the other big tussle against Australia.
This means that after four games played, Kumar Sangakkara's side has 5 points out of a possible 8. They are third in Group A, ahead of Australia by virtue of a superior net run rate but having played a game more. With Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia and Lanka almost certain to go through to the quarterfinals from the Group, the spot at which each team finishes will turn out to be crucial.
Sri Lanka know they have to win convincingly against Zimbabwe and then overcome the Kiwis in their last game to improve their Group position. They will therefore be extra motivated for the game against the African side, who will find it difficult to withstand the Lankan barrage.
After an impressive showing against Australia and the win against Canada, much was expected from Zimbabwe in the game against the Kiwis. They were not even able to mount a semblance of a fight though, and the 10-wicket loss would be a real downer for Elton Chigumbura and his side.
Any hopes Zimbabwe has, revolves around spinners Ray Price, Prosper Utseya and Graeme Cremer. But Sri Lankan batsmen are one of the better players of spin bowling and will back themselves to do well in conditions they are familiar with.
Brendan Taylor, Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine have done well with the bat for Zimbabwe, but in Malinga, they will be facing a threat unlike none other or none before. Also, the Zimbabwe batsmen will take time to get used to conditions in the Emerald nation as their three previous outings have all been on good batting surfaces in India.
Overall, this should be an easy outing for the co-hosts. Zimbabwe will not roll over and die, not by any stretch of the imagination. But the depth in talent and abundance of world-class players in the Lankan side will be too much for them to handle.
Prediction: Easy win for Sri Lanka... watch out for Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga.
A mixture of poor form, injuries and vengeful weather has disrupted the Lankan campaign so far. They lost the high-profile clash against Pakistan when their pace spearhead Lasith Malinga was out injured, but once they got their side back to full fitness, rain wrecked havoc in the other big tussle against Australia.
This means that after four games played, Kumar Sangakkara's side has 5 points out of a possible 8. They are third in Group A, ahead of Australia by virtue of a superior net run rate but having played a game more. With Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia and Lanka almost certain to go through to the quarterfinals from the Group, the spot at which each team finishes will turn out to be crucial.
Sri Lanka know they have to win convincingly against Zimbabwe and then overcome the Kiwis in their last game to improve their Group position. They will therefore be extra motivated for the game against the African side, who will find it difficult to withstand the Lankan barrage.
After an impressive showing against Australia and the win against Canada, much was expected from Zimbabwe in the game against the Kiwis. They were not even able to mount a semblance of a fight though, and the 10-wicket loss would be a real downer for Elton Chigumbura and his side.
Any hopes Zimbabwe has, revolves around spinners Ray Price, Prosper Utseya and Graeme Cremer. But Sri Lankan batsmen are one of the better players of spin bowling and will back themselves to do well in conditions they are familiar with.
Brendan Taylor, Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine have done well with the bat for Zimbabwe, but in Malinga, they will be facing a threat unlike none other or none before. Also, the Zimbabwe batsmen will take time to get used to conditions in the Emerald nation as their three previous outings have all been on good batting surfaces in India.
Overall, this should be an easy outing for the co-hosts. Zimbabwe will not roll over and die, not by any stretch of the imagination. But the depth in talent and abundance of world-class players in the Lankan side will be too much for them to handle.
Prediction: Easy win for Sri Lanka... watch out for Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga.
