Bangladesh will host Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in a tri series beginning from 15th January 2018. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers of Sri Lanka against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
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The rivalry between these two sides began from a record breaking encounter at New Plymouth during the World Cup 1992. Winning the toss, Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga invited Zimbabwean captain Dave Houghton to bat. The minnows opened with two debutants, Andy Flower and Wayne James. One batsman, Andy Flower who would go on to create a legacy in cricket folklore, dazzled with an unbeaten 115. Moreover he became only the third batsman and the first wicket-keeper to score an ODI century on debut. His partnerships with Kevin Arnott and Andy Waller took Zimbabwe to a staggering 312 for 4 in 50 overs.
Sri Lanka had to create history if they were to win, as no team had successfully chased down a 300 plus target in ODI cricket. Stepped up Athula Samarasekera and Roshan Mahanama, to set up a 128 run stand for the opening wicket; Samarasekera scored a blistering 75 off 61 balls while Mahanama made 59. Eddo Brandes, a chicken farmer by profession, who would go on to ‘cluck’ England later in the World Cup, forced a mini collapse and Sri Lanka were reeling at 167 for 4. But captain Ranatunga had other ideas. He pummeled his way through towards the target, with support from Sanath Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillakaratne. With 9 fours and a maximum he amassed 88 in just 61 deliveries, taking Sri Lanka to the winning target in a thrilling finale with 3 wickets and 4 balls to spare. The memorable encounter saw Sri Lanka becoming the first ever side to successfully chase down a 300 plus target in an ODI.
However, the minnows were never to be underestimated as later they went on to shock the eventual finalists England at Albury.
The first win for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka came in 1994 at Harare. Braced by Alistair Campbell’s unbeaten 131, Zimbabwe scored 290/5 while Sri Lanka’s reply fell short by a mere 2 runs.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe head to head ODI record –
- Played – 55
- Sri Lanka – 43
- Zimbabwe – 10
- No result – 2
Recap of the few years
Sri Lanka traveled to Zimbabwe in 2008 and the 5-match ODI series ended in a whitewash by Sri Lanka. In 2016, during the triangular series involving West Indies and Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka won two games out of three against the hosts with one ending without a result. Last year, Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka 3-2 in the 5-match ODI series hosted by the Lions.
At neutral territory
Since their first encounter during the 1992 World Cup, the two teams have played 18 times at neutral venues.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe ODI tally at neutral venues –
- Played – 18
- Won – 14
- Lost – 4
Team Records
- Highest team total – Sri Lanka 327/6 (Pallekele, 2011)
- Highest team total (for Zim) – 322/4 (Galle, 2017)
- Lowest team total – 35 all out (Zimbabwe at Harare, 2004)
- Lowest team total (for SL) – 153 all out (Sharjah, 1997)
Batting Records
- Most runs – Andy Flower (919 runs in 27 innings) (Avg. 38.29)
- Most runs for Sri Lanka – Marvan Atapattu (906 runs in 25 innings) (Avg. 45.30)
- Highest individual score – T.M. Dilshan (144 at Pallekele, 2011)
- Highest individual score for Zimbabwe – Alistair Campbell (131* at Harare, 1994)
Bowling Records
- Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (59 wickets in 30 innings) (Avg. 14.67)
- Most wickets for Zimbabwe – Heath Streak (28 wickets in 22 innings) (Avg. 31.96)
- Best bowling – Chaminda Vaas (8 for 19 at SSC, 2001)
- Best bowling for Zimbabwe – Paul Strang (4 for 32 at Sharjah, 1998)
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
Since 1986
The two teams first met during the 1986 Asia Cup, hosted by Sri Lanka. On 2nd April at Asgiriya. Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the inaugural match. Batting first, Bangladesh reached 131/8, which was chased down by Sri Lanka in 32 overs. Asanka Gurusinha top scored with 44. Bangladesh’s long-awaited first win against Sri Lanka came in 2006 at Bogra, which they won by 4 wickets.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka head to head ODI record –
- Played – 41
- Bangladesh – 5
- Sri Lanka – 34
- No result – 2
Recap of the few years
During Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2013, the 3-match ODI series ended in a 1-1 draw. The ODI series of Sri Lanka’s tour to Bangladesh in 2014 resulted in a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash by Sri Lanka. In 2017, the ODI series between the two sides in Sri Lanka, ended in a 1-1 draw.
At Bangladesh
Sri Lanka first played an ODI in Bangladesh during the 1988 Asia Cup in Dhaka. Since then, the two sides have played 14 matches in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka head to head ODI record in Bangladesh –
- Played – 14
- Bangladesh – 3
- Sri Lanka – 11
Team Records
- Highest team total – 357/9 (Sri Lanka at Lahore, 2008)
- Highest team total (for Ban) – 324/5 (Dambulla, 2017)
- Lowest team total – 76 all out (Bangladesh at SSC, 2002)
- Lowest team total (for SL) – 147 all out (Dhaka, 2009)
Batting Records
- Most runs – Kumar Sangakkara (1206 runs in 28 innings) (Avg. 48.24)
- Most runs (for Ban) – Mohammad Ashraful (573 runs in 25 innings) (Avg. 23.87)
- Most runs in Bangladesh – Kumar Sangakkara (476 runs in 11 innings) (Avg. 47.60)
- Most runs for Bangladesh (in Ban) – Shakib Al Hasan (252 runs in 8 innings) (Avg. 36.00)
- Highest individual score – TM Dilshan (161* at Melbourne, 2015)
- Highest individual score (for Ban) – Tamim Iqbal (127 at Dambulla, 2017)
Bowling Records
- Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (31 wickets in 17 innings) (Avg. 17.22)
- Most wickets (for Ban) – Mashrafe Mortaza (21 wickets in 18 innings) (Avg. 41.00)
- Most wickets in Bangladesh – Rubel Hossain (12 wickets in 8 innings) (Avg. 33.16)
- Most wickets in Bangladesh (for SL) – Nuwan Kulasekara (9 wickets in 6 innings) (Avg. 25.11)
- Best bowling – Chaminda Vaas (6 for 25 at Pietermaritzburg, 2003)
- Best bowling (for Ban) – Abdur Razzak (5 for 62 at Pallekele, 2013)
