NZ vs SL 2nd T20I Match Prediction [Source: @ICC/x]
New Zealand and Sri Lanka will collide in the second T20I of their three-match series on December 30 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from 11:45 AM IST onwards. Hosts New Zealand won the first T20I to go up 1-0 up in the series.
New Zealand
The New Zealand cricket team will be looking to capitalize on its newfound winning momentum, especially after crashing out of the opening round of the 2024 T20 World Cup and failing to win a series in Sri Lanka last month. A welcome win in the first T20I gave the ‘Black Caps’ a 1-0 lead, and another win at this stage of the home summer will help them secure the series.
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan team squandered away its opportunity of winning the series-opener at the Bay Oval a couple of days ago. Despite reaching 121-0 in 13 overs in a chase of 173, a colossal batting collapse in the backend of the innings ensured the visitors fell eight runs short of their target. In a bid to stay alive in the series and finish off their uneven 2024 year on an emphatic note, it is imperative for the Sri Lankans to topple the hosts in the impending fixture.
NZ vs SL Head-to-Head Records in T20I
Matches | New Zealand won | Sri Lanka won | N/R |
---|---|---|---|
26 | 15 | 8 (+2 from Super Over) | 1 |
How Will The Bay Oval Pitch Behave?
The surface at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui is a favorable one for batters, considering the average first innings total at the venue across all men’s T20Is so far has amounted to nearly 160. Fast bowlers will get early lateral movement with the new ball, before batters can unleash their strokes upon getting settled in. It is worth noting that no chasing team has ever won a men’s T20I match at this ground.
Players To Watch Out For In NZ vs SL 2nd T20I
New Zealand
Michael Bracewell
New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has scored 136 runs in his past seven T20I matches at a strike rate of over 132. The 33-year-old also cracked a match-winning half-century for New Zealand in the first T20I of the series.
Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell has played 213 T20 matches, including 68 internationals for New Zealand. With more than 4,500 runs at a strike rate of 135.78 as well as 77 wickets to his name, Mitchell’s experience and recent form will place him in good stead against Sri Lanka in the remaining T20Is.
Jacob Duffy
New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy changed the complexion of the first T20I with a quick three-wicket burst during the Sri Lankan run-chase. Overall, the speedster has snapped 116 wickets in his overall T20 career.
Mitchell Santner
New Zealand captain and spin bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner has maintained an economy rate of just 5.69 in his past seven T20I matches. The 32-year-old is also one of the few cricketers with more than 100 T20I wickets to his name.
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka
Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka unfurled the innings of the match a couple of days ago at the Bay Oval by whacking 90 runs from just 60 balls. Nissanka has been averaging a prolific 40.20 in his last 10 matches for Sri Lanka.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Sri Lankan spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga has been in splendid touch with the ball off late, having picked 19 wickets for his team in the last 10 T20Is at a strike rate of just 11.68.
Binura Fernando
Lanky fast bowler Binura Fernando blew away New Zealand’s top-order a couple of days ago in the series-opening first T20I. His ability of generating awkward bounce for the batters will come in handy for Sri Lanka with the new ball at the Bay Oval.
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis made a swift 46 off 36 balls against New Zealand on December 28. In terms of his T20I form, the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter has hauled more than 300 runs in his past 10 appearances at a strike rate of 123.48.
Today's Match Prediction: NZ vs SL 2nd T20I
Predicted Top Performers
New Zealand – Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner
Sri Lanka – Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga
NZ vs SL 2nd T20I: Predicted Score
Predicted first innings score: 160-180
Predicted second innings score: 140-160