SL vs NZ 1st T20I Preview: Key Players And Stats, Live Streaming, Pitch Report, Probable XIs

SL vs NZ 1st T20I Preview [Source: @ICC/x]

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will collide in the first T20I of their three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Saturday, November 9. The action is scheduled to commence from 7:00 PM IST onwards.

SL vs NZ 1st T20I: Match Details And Live Streaming

SL vs NZ 1st T20I Preview: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka bounced back from its 0-3 drubbing to India with a 2-1 series win over West Indies. In a bid to sustain their newfound winning momentum, Charith Asalanka and co. will be aiming to topple New Zealand in yet another three-match T20I chapter at home. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka have emerged as some of Sri Lanka’s prolific run-getters off late, while bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara will be expected to engulf the visiting New Zealand batting line-up on a tough Dambulla surface.

SL vs NZ 1st T20I Preview: New Zealand

The three-match series against Sri Lanka marks New Zealand’s return to the T20I lore for the first time since making a first-round exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup in June this year. In the current line-up led by bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner, hard-hitting New Zealanders Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips will start out as some of the primary batters from the visiting group. Lockie Ferguson will likely helm New Zealand’s pace department while Ish Sodhi will operate spin alongside captain Santner.

SL vs NZ 1st T20I Pitch Report: How Will Rangiri Dambulla Surface Behave?

The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium provides considerable assistance to batters, with something on offer for the spinners in the middle overs as well. In the six matches hosted by the venue this year, the average first innings total has amounted to a competitive 177. The captain winning the toss will likely opt to bat first, considering the teams batting first have won four of the six matches played here.

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SL vs NZ 1st T20I: Key Players And Stats

• Kusal Mendis: 372 runs in last 10 matches, Batting Average: 41.33, SR: 127.39
• Mark Chapman: 147 runs in last 7 matches, Batting Average: 36.75, SR: 145.54
• Wanindu Hasaranga: 5 wickets in last 3 matches, Bowling Average: 18.80, SR: 13.20
• Lockie Ferguson: 7 wickets in last 4 matches, Bowling Average: 9.14, SR: 13.71
• Pathum Nissanka: 291 runs in last 9 matches, Batting Average: 32.33, SR: 133.48

SL vs NZ 1st T20I: Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara.

New Zealand Probable XI: Will Young, Tim Robinson, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Mitch Hay (wk), Zakary Foulkes, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner (c) and Lockie Ferguson.

SL vs NZ 1st T20I: Winner Prediction

On the basis of a newfound winning momentum and familiarity with home conditions, hosts Sri Lanka will be considered as favourites over New Zealand to take a 1-0 lead in the series with a win in the first T20I.

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