Sri Lanka will play Zimbabwe in a must-win game for the previous year’s runners-up. This seventh game of the ICC World T20 will be played at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

With their defeat against the New Zealand, and the nature of the format, it is now imperative that Sri Lanka (1/6 at Sky Bet) win this game. A loss to Zimbabwe (5/1 at 888Sport) here will knock the Lankans out of the tournament, ensure that Zimbabwe is through to the next round and render the Zimbabwe-New Zealand game as that of academic interest only.

The Sri Lankan batting was an issue in the first game against the Kiwis, and much of the blame needs to be shared by their top-order. Tillakaratne Dilshan (7/2 at Blue Square to top-score for his side) scrapped around for 19 balls for his three runs, whereas captain Kumar Sangakkara (7/2 at Stan James to be the best batsman for his side) was no better. On the other hand, Mahela Jayawardene (5/2 at Ladbrokes to top-score for his side) did carve out an 81 on a pitch that ensured that every other batsman had to struggle to get their runs; just a testimony to Jayawardene’s class and form.

Dinesh Chandimal (8/1 at Blue Square to be the best batsman) did his bit on his debut for the Sri Lankan side, but one got the sense that Sanath Jayasuriya (10/1 at Ladbrokes to top-score for his side) could have been sent earlier than he actually batted.

Zimbabwe go into the game after having played a couple of warm-up games against Australia and Pakistan, and sending out the shock-waves – or warning signals, depending on who you are – by beating both the sides! And it was not only their bowling, but the likes of Elton Chigumbura (11/2 at Blue Square to top-score for his side) who did the utmost damage with the bat in their hands.

Of course, it is the top-order in Vusi Sibanda (6/1 at Ladbrokes) and Hamilton Masakadza (4/1 at Stan James, both to top-score for Zimbabwe), who need to do more damage, when the ball is hard and new, while Tatenda Taibu (4/1 at Bet Fred to be the best batsman for his side) looks to revive the batsman in him before he had announced his retirement, some years back!

Tips:
Favourites: Sri Lanka (1/6 at Sky Bet)
Top Sri Lanka batsman: Kumar Sangakkara (7/2 at Stan James)
Top Zimbabwe batsman: Elton Chigumbura (11/2 at Blue Square)