T20 World Cup: Asian champions Sri Lanka face in-form Netherlands in must-win match

T20 World Cup 2022: Sri Lanka have to seal 2 factors in opposition to the Netherlands to progress to the Super 12 stage of the match. Dasun Shanaka’s males might be hoping for an improved present in Geelong on Thursday.

T20 World Cup: Asian champions Sri Lanka face Netherlands in must-win match (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Sri Lanka had headed into the T20 World Cup as one of many darkish horses after having shocked India and Pakistan to win the Asia Cup title in September. However, Dasun Shanaka’s males are a loss away from making a shock exit within the Round 1 stage of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Sri Lanka tackle high-flying Netherlands of their remaining Group A match in Round 1 in Geelong on Thursday and the Asian champions could not be capable of progress to the Super 12 and not using a victory. Sri Lanka are on the third spot in Group A with a win from 2 matches whereas the Netherlands are on the prime of the desk with 2 wins in as many matches. Namibia, who shocked Sri Lanka within the opener, are within the 2nd spot with a greater Net Run Rate than the islanders.

In reality, it would turn into a winner-takes-all contest on Thursday because the Netherlands might be eradicated in the event that they lose and Namibia win because the Dutch have a poorer Net Run Rate than each Sri Lanka and Namibia. Namibia tackle UAE, who’re winless, within the remaining Group A match in Round 1 within the afternoon match in Geelong after Sri Lanka’s morning recreation.

T20 World Cup 2022: Points Table

Sri Lanka got here up with a horror batting present in opposition to Namibia, getting bowled out for 108 however Pathum Nissanka save the day in opposition to UAE, hitting a 60-ball 74 earlier than their star bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga picked 3 wickets every to decimate the UAE batting unit.

BATTING IMPROVEMENT

Sri Lanka captain Shanaka conceded that it is time for him and explosive Bhanuka Rajapaksa to come back to the celebration prior to later within the T20 World Cup after twin failures for them.

“I think we need to have myself and Bhanu needs to kick on in this tournament, as well,” Shanaka stated.

Sri Lanka have additionally been handled an enormous blow as they’ve misplaced pacer Dushmantha Chameera because of a calf harm. Shanaka was not sure of Chameera’s participation within the conflict in opposition to the Netherlands however the star pacer has been dominated out of the rest of the match together with batter Dhanushka Gunathilalka.

Sri Lanka might be centered on getting the job achieved and never take into consideration the strain of expectations of their must-win match in opposition to Netherlands, Shanaka stated.

“I think Asia Cup champions is history, so it’s just a title for us. There is no pressure at all. We just need to concentrate on our own performances and what we need to do to make sure that we get into that second round after the next game,” he added.

On the opposite hand, the Netherlands might be eager on benefiting from a positive begin. The likes of Bas de Leede together with the top-order have chipped in of their shut wins however the Dutch must be extra complete if they’re to check Sri Lanka.

SRI LANKA VS NETHERLANDS, PREDICTED XIs

Netherlands: Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Tom Cooper, Scott Edwards (c &wk), Roelof van der Merwe, Tim Pringle, Timm van der Gugten, Fred Klassen, Paul van Meekeren

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana