Win or bust for Lanka

It will be a test for Chandika Hathurusingha and his charges as they look to overcome a disappointing start to 2018 and stay alive in the race for the final of the tri-series when they take on a spirited Zimbabwe side at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

Despite a comprehensive eight-wicket loss to host Bangladesh in the tournament opener, Zimbabwe recovered strongly and beat Sri Lanka by 12 runs, a fourth win in their past six encounters against the Islanders.

Sikandar Raza has been consistent with the bat, notching back-to-back fifties, and has also been instrumental with his off-spin, having picked up three wickets in two games. He has also been an electric presence on the field in which department the recently-concluded Bangladesh Premier League has helped him immensely, according to teammate Craig Ervine.

Experienced opener Hamilton Masakadza provided a solid start alongside Solomon Mire as Zimbabwe posted a challenging 290 for six in their previous game against Sri Lanka. However, despite getting starts, Brendon Taylor has been unable to prolong his innings.

The biggest setback for Zimbabwe is perhaps their inability to handle spin, a weak-link that Hathurusingha is surely going to attack.

"I think a lot of it depends on the wicket. If it is a really good wicket, both seam and spin will have an even balance," Ervine told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

"In recent times, we have been playing spin a bit better. Sri Lanka may think of adding an extra spinner instead of a seamer. We just have to turn up tomorrow regardless of what team they pick. We just have to be on top of the game."

Bowling has been another concern for the Zimbabweans as nobody apart from Tendai Chatara has quite been able to threaten the opposition.

Sri Lanka will miss the services of their regular skipper Angelo Mathews as the all-rounder, who sustained a hamstring injury during the game against Zimbabwe, is out of the tournament and will be flying back today.

The Lankans' morale will also be considerably low on the back of Friday's 163-run loss to the Tigers -- the hosts' biggest margin of victory in an ODI. A toothless Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 157 runs and alongside their approach they also need to work on fielding, with dropped catches costing them in previous games.

Dinesh Chandimal's side will desperately require a collective approach to stay in the hunt as anything other than a win will see the side crash out of the tournament.