SL vs NZ 2nd T20I Preview: Key Players And Stats, Live Streaming, Pitch Report, Probable XIs

SL vs NZ 2nd T20I Preview [Source: @BLACKCAPS/x]

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will be crossing paths in the series-deciding second T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, November 10. Charith Asalanka and co. won the first match at the same venue by four wickets, thus making it imperative for the visitors to clinch the impending decider in a bid to square the series.

SL vs NZ 2nd T20I: Match Details And Live Streaming

SL vs NZ 2nd T20I Preview: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka won the series opener by four wickets at Dambulla, courtesy of a sublime 28-ball 35* from captain Charith Asalanka. Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis and explosive all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga also played starring roles with the bat to mow down New Zealand’s total on a seemingly challenging surface. 

Meanwhile, Dunith Wellalage and young paceman Matheesha Pathirana engulfed the visitor’s batting line-up with crucial breakthroughs. The Sri Lankan team will now be hoping for a repeat performance if they are to clinch its second successive home series win after defeating West Indies last month.

SL vs NZ 2nd T20I Preview: New Zealand

The New Zealand team, having crashed out of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the first round, also lost to Sri Lanka in their T20I return to go 0-1 down in the two-match series. While the entire visiting group crumbled in the series opener, young all-rounder Zakary Foulkes demonstrated exceptional skills with both bat and ball, clubbing 27* on a difficult surface and taking three wickets to make a match out of a small chase against the Sri Lankans. 

In a bid to level the series, the New Zealand team management will be hoping for some sort of insurgency from senior pros Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi as well as from T20 veteran Glenn Phillips.

SL vs NZ 2nd T20I Pitch Report: How Will Rangiri Dambulla Surface Behave?

While the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium ideally assists batters, spinners also tend to dictate terms on occasions. The first T20I of the series played at the venue turned out to be a low-scoring affair, where Sri Lankan spinners managed to make early inroads with key wickets against New Zealand. The captain winning the toss will likely opt to field first.

---

ALSO READ

Watching Cricket From Trees! Sri Lankan Fans Show Extreme Passion During 1st T20I Vs NZ

---

SL vs NZ 2nd T20I: Key Players And Stats

• Kusal Mendis: 286 runs in last 10 matches, Batting Average: 31.78, SR: 118.18
• Mark Chapman: 131 runs in last 7 matches, Batting Average: 26.20, SR: 142.39
• Wanindu Hasaranga: 17 wickets in last 10 matches, Economy: 7.82, SR: 12.82
• Zakary Foulkes: 4 wickets in last 3 matches, Economy: 8.54, SR: 16.50
• Pathum Nissanka: 310 runs in last 10 matches, Batting Average: 31.00, SR: 133.62

SL vs NZ 2nd 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: Tim Robinson, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitch Hay (wk), Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Zakary Foulkes and Jacob Duffy.

SL vs NZ 2nd T20I: Winner Prediction

Hosts Sri Lanka will be considered as favourites to sustain their winning run and clinch the two-match home series against New Zealand.

---

ALSO READ

New Zealand To Tour Sri Lanka For Five-Match White-Ball Leg; Check Full Schedule

---