Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first in the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. Captain Charith Asalanka said that decision was based on history at the venue – chasing teams have tended to do better here.
Zimbabwe have opted for a seam-heavy attack, with Tinotenda Maposa and Brad Evans in their XI alongside the more experienced frontliners Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani. Captain Sikandar Raza has himself and Sean Williams as spin options.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have two frontline spinners in Dushan Hemantha , who makes his T20I debut, and Maheesh Theekshana. Hemantha has played five ODIs, and taken two wickets with his legspin at 96.50.
With Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera in the side, there is no room for Matheesha Pathirana.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara.
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Sean Williams, 4Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.
[Cricinfo]
