SL vs NAM: The Sheikh Zayed Stadium will host the fourth match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Qualifiers between Sri Lanka and Namibia. The match is scheduled to be played at 7:30 PM as per IST.
Sri Lanka last played a warm-up match ahead of their opening game of the World T20 Qualifiers against Papua New Guinea. Riding on the back of a 103 run partnership between Pathum Nissanka (76 off 58) and Avishka Fernando (61 off 37), Sri Lanka reached a defending total of 162/5. The rest of the Sri Lankan batters succumbed to the likes of Kabua Morea who picked up 4/25 in his four-overs spell. In reply, Sri Lankan bowlers held onto their nerves and bowled brilliantly to restrict Papua New Guinea to a mere 123/7 and win the match by 39 runs.
Meanwhile, Namibia too played a warm-up game before commencing their World T20 campaign. They played against Scotland which ended up in a high scoring run-chase. Courtesy of George Munsey‘s & Matthew Cross’s fifties, Scotland marched to a humongous total of 203/7. In reply, Namibia gave a tough fight. Craig William scored an astonishing 51-ball 80 but failed to get his team over the line as Scotland won the match by 19 runs.
It will be a thrilling contest of bat & ball as both the teams have players who perform with great intent. However, Sri Lanka does seem to be the team with more experience and have a better shot at winning this opening encounter.
Match Details
Match: Sri Lanka vs Namibia
Date & Time: 18th October 2021, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Pitch Report
The Abu Dhabi pitch has supported the spinners as they have been able to extract a significant amount of turn on this ground. On the other hand, batters keep struggling in their attempts to adapt to this pitch. After winning the toss, both the teams will look to the field first as chasing has been easier on this surface.
Weather Report
It is expected to be sunny and mildly humid throughout the game with temperatures decreasing marginally.
SL vs NAM Predicted Playing XI
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Akila Dananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga.
Namibia
Stephan Baard, Zane Green (w), Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (c), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Pikky Ya France, Jan Frylinck, Bernard Scholtz, Karl Birkenstock, Ruben Trumpelmann.
SL vs NAM Dream11 Team Prediction
Wicket-keeper: Dinesh Chandimal
Batsmen: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Craig Williams, Stephan Baard (vice-captain)
All-rounders: David Wiese, Wanidu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka (captain)
Bowlers: Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Bernard Scholtz
