NZ vs SL, 1st T20I: Preview, Pitch Report, Predicted XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
New Zealand have dominated Sri Lanka in the ongoing tour
The opening T20I match of the three-match series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is set to be held on Sunday, April 2, at Auckland's Eden Park. With the hosts having dominated the visiting team in the ongoing tour, the game is anticipated to be a high-voltage encounter.
Team Preview
New Zealand
New Zealand has been on a winning spree against Sri Lanka in the current tour. They secured a comprehensive 2-0 whitewash in the Test series and clinched the three-match ODI series 2-0, with the second ODI being washed out due to rain. While the hosts faced a 2-1 loss in their previous T20I outing against India, they are brimming with confidence following their ODI series win against Sri Lanka. The Kiwis will aim to continue their dominance and clinch the series and keep the visitors winless on the tour.
Sri Lanka
Contrarily, Sri Lanka's tour has been far from satisfactory. After failing to qualify for the World Test Championship Final in the Test series, they also missed out on a direct qualification to Cricket World Cup 2023 by losing the ODI series. In their last T20I series against India, they suffered a similar fate as the Kiwis, losing by a margin of 2-1. Under the leadership of Dasun Shanaka, the Lankans would look to put their ODI series loss behind and end the tour on a high.
Match Details
Date & Time: April 2, 06:30 AM IST
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Live Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Pitch Report
The pitch at Eden Park is expected to be a paradise for batsmen. Thus, an exhilarating high-scoring contest is on the cards. The team that wins the toss and chooses to bat first would look to set an enormous total and put the pressure on the opposition. However, with the surface offering little assistance to the bowlers, the team that bowls first might face an arduous task.
Probable Playing XI
New Zealand: Will Young, Mark Chapman, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham (c & wk), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Henry Shipley, Adam Milne, Matt Henry
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keepers: Tim Seifert, Kusal Mendis
Batters: Will Young, Pathum Nissanka, Daryl Mitchell
All-Rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, James Neesham
Bowlers: Matt Henry, Henry Shipley, Dilshan Madushanka
Captain: Daryl Mitchell
Vice Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga/Dasun Shanaka
Prediction
New Zealand are the favourites to win the match based on their form, squad and knowledge of conditions.
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