Bulawayo: A five-match series against Sri Lanka was the most appetising contest Zimbabwe have had in months but unfortunately the results have been far from that. After a 5-0 whitewash at the hands of Pakistan earlier this year, the home side face a similar predicament.

India's Ajit Agarkar broke Dennis Lillee's record for the fastest bowler to 50 wickets in ODIs that stood for nearly 26 years, but Mendis is primed to do undo him in just over a decade. And in five matches less than Agarkar's 23. Mendis hasn't just feasted on weaker sides: his bowling average against India reads 19 wickets from six games, and he took four wickets in one game versus Pakistan.

One concern Sri Lanka will have is that no batsman has really imposed himself. Putting aside the second ODI, when Sri Lanka had to chase 68, the batting line-up has only managed two half-centuries. Both have been key innings, however - Kumar Sangakkara's 59-ball 57 ultimately proved crucial in a rare thriller in game three, while Jehan Mubarak's unbeaten 60 helped Sri Lanka edge Zimbabwe by two wickets to win the fourth match.