Deadline: September 1, 2019 at 7 PM IST
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
Pitch report
Of the 16 completed T20Is at Pallekele, targets have been chased successfully only on four occasions. As anyway is the case in the format, captains will look to bat first.
The average first and second innings scores read 169 and 147 respectively, while the highest score registered is 263 for 3 by Australia against the home team.
Match prediction
The last time Sri Lanka won a T20I against New Zealand was in the 2014 World T20. Their latest defeat came earlier this year in Auckland, in a one-off match. This victory also broke New Zealand’s six-match draught.
In all, however, Sri Lanka have won only 6 of 16 T20Is against the Black Caps.
What’s the match prediction then? Who has the edge?
Kane Williamson has been rested and Lasith Malinga has been in a top-notch form of late. Sri Lanka have a slight advantage.
Teams
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga (c)
Probable XI for New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (wk), Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee (c), Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Fantasy team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ names to get the data while making your fantasy team.
My 11: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Martin Guptill (c), Colin Munro, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Isuru Udana, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Lasith Malinga (vc)
Players to watch out for
Martin Guptill, apart from the famous MS Dhoni run out, had a disappointing World Cup. He, however, made amends in the 2019 Vitality Blast, scoring 259 with a strike rate of 145.5.
Malinga took three four-wicket hauls in the World Cup, and in his ODI swan song, he finished with a three-for. All this at the age of 36, with that sling-shot action. T20I is the only format he has not retired in and it is the format that best suits his style.
Ever since his 49 against England, Avishka Fernando has caught everyone’s attention. He followed it up with a spectacular hundred against West Indies and 82 at home against Bangladesh. He likes to attack right from the word go, and what better format than T20I to express yourself!
Colin Munro is ranked No. 2 in ICC T20I Rankings for batsmen. In 52 matches, he has hit 1,411 runs with a strike rate of 162, including 3 hundreds and 9 half-centuries.
Lockie Ferguson, New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker in the World Cup, will be back in action. There are few bowlers who are as threatening as Ferguson is in the death overs.
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket.
