SL vs ZIM 2024 1st ODI: R Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report, Last ODI Match Scorecard and ODI Records

Sri Lanka Cricket has received a big relief as the ICC has allowed the national team to participate in international matches. On January 5, Sri Lanka will make their first outing since the 2023 World Cup. Zimbabwe will be their opponent with whom they will play the ODI and T20I series, both consisting of 3 matches each. Stadium in Colombo will host Zimababwe’s entire tour of Sri Lanka. Ahead of the 1st SL vs ZIM ODI, let’s analyze the R Premadasa Stadium Colombo pitch report. Also, you can check the Colombo Cricket Stadium ODI Records and the last ODI match scorecard below.

R Premadasa Stadium Colombo has been the prestigious Cricket venue in Sri Lanka. Being located in the capital city, it hosts the most important cricket clashes in Sri Lanka. It is also known as the “Home of Sri Lanka Cricket”. It began hosting ODI matches in 1986 and has hosted 145 ODI matches to date.

Zimbabwe has played 5 matches in Colombo previously, with the most recent one being in 2002. The African nation did not win any of them. It will be interesting to see how the Craig Ervine-led side fares in the upcoming 3 ODI matches here.

Colombo Stadium ODI Records

In the 145 ODI matches here, the team batting first has remained the upper hand with an 81-56 tally. 

• Matches Played: 145
• Won by the team batting first: 81 
• Won by the team batting second: 56
• Matches Tied: 8
• Biggest score while batting first: India – 375/5 (50) vs Sri Lanka, 2017
• Lowest score while batting first: Sri Lanka – 50/10 (15.2) vs India, 2023
• Biggest total chased: Sri Lanka chased 291 vs Australia, 2022
• Lowest Score Defended: Pakistan defended 184 vs Canada, 2011
• Colombo(RPS) Cricket Stadium average 1st innings score in men’s ODI: 235
• Colombo(RPS) Cricket Stadium average 2nd innings score in men’s ODI: 193
• Best figures for a Pacer: Mohammed Siraj (IND) – 6/21 vs SL, 2023
• Best figures for a Spinner: Akila Dananjaya (SL) – 9/29 vs RSA, 2018
• Highest score by a Batter: Kumar Sangakkara (SL) – 169(137) vs RSA, 2013

R Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report for SL vs ZIM ODI

The last ODI match in Colombo witnessed Sri Lanka being bundled out for just 50 runs against India. The match took place under overcast conditions, which proved advantageous for the Indian pacers. Typically, Colombo experiences balanced conditions, with the average first-innings score being 235. While pacers are expected to find assistance in the initial overs, the wicket tends to slow down as the match progresses.

Spinners are expected to come into play after the power play, but runs can flow if batters manage to settle. When batting first, teams will aim to cross the 280-run mark. Chasing a total above 280 is likely to be challenging at this venue.

Colombo Last ODI Match Scorecard

The Asia Cup 2023 final between Sri Lanka and India, was the last ODI match at Colombo. It turned out to be a completely one-sided affair, lasting only 2.5 hours. Overcast conditions were a reason behind Sri Lanka’s collapse.