Match Details
Date: October 16, 2022
Time: 9:30 AM IST
Venue: Simonds Stadium, Geelong
Live ball-by-ball commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview:
The biggest clash of the T20 format is upon us as the eighth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 is set to start for the first time in Australia. The clash among the best of the teams will start on October 16 (Saturday) with Asian champion Sri Lanka taking on Namibia at the Simonds Stadium in Geelong. Both teams are coming on the back of winning their warm-up games as Dasun Shanaka-led side defeated Zimbabwe by 33 runs after scoring 188 runs for the loss of five wickets. Meanwhile, Namibia won their warm-up game against Ireland by 11 runs.
Weather Report:
Pitch:
Team Analysis:
Sri Lanka:
The Island nation must be riding high on confidence after outplaying mightiest like India and Pakistan in recently concluded Asia Cup 2022 in UAE. 30-year-old Bhanuka Rajapaksa was crucial for the side in the continental tournament as he was the leading run-scorer from the side with 191 runs in six innings at an average of 47.75 and strike rate of 149.22.
Batters like Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka will be key for the side and must be considered for the fantasy team. Dasun Shanaka, and Wanindu Hasaranga should be part of the fantasy squad as an all-rounder. Meanwhile, Chamika Karunaratne, and Maheesh Theekshana can be instrumental bowlers for the side as the duo were impressive in Asia Cup 2022.
Namibia:
Namibia last played their T20I in May where they clinched the series 3-2 against Zimbabwe. Namibia performed well in the warm-up game as they beat Ireland by 11 runs. Namibia did well to qualify for the Super 12 in the last year’s T20 World Cup where they finished 5th in Group 2 standings with a sole victory.
The 27-year-old right-handed batter Gerhard Erasmus will lead the squad and will be crucial with the bat as he has been impressive this year, accumulating 254 runs in eight innings. Talismanic all-rounder David Weise will be the most important aspect of the team as he has played some significant knocks for Ireland lately. Meanwhile, from the bowling department, Bernard Scholtz, Michael van Lingen will be a vital cog from the side and must be considered for the fantasy team.
Key Players:
Probable playing XI:
Sri Lanka:
Pathum Nissanka, D Gunathilaka, B Rajapaksa, D Shanaka(C), D de Silva, W Hasaranga, C Karunaratne, K Mendis, M Theekshana, D Chameera, D Madushanka
Namibia:
Gerhard Erasmus(C), Divan la Cock, Jonathan Smit, D Wiese, M van Lingen, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Zane Green, Jan Frylinck, R Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo
Grand League team
Head-to-head
Best 14:
Wicketkeeper: Kusal Mendis, Zane Green
Batters: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Gerhard Merwe, Charuth Asalanka
Allrounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, David Wiese, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva
Bowlers: Deshmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the author's point of view. They neither reflect the opinion of SportsTiger nor advise anyone to make any prediction based on this. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility and liability for the same.
