FANTASY
Follow UsAfter a scintillating performance in their opening match against the Netherlands, Ireland will lock horns against Sri Lanka in an evening encounter on Wednesday, 20th October, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The two sides have competed once in this format of the game, with Sri Lanka edging past the Irish team by nine runs in 2009 at the Home of Cricket.
With a resounding seven-wicket win in the first game, Ireland would be riding high on confidence. On the other hand, despite their seven-wicket win, Sri Lanka endured a dismal performance at the top of the order and will look to make amends in this crucial clash.
SUGGESTED TEAM
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
GROUND DETAILS
The average first innings total around the Zayed Cricket Stadium would be around the 150-run mark. In T20s since 2019, 66.7 percent of the wickets have been picked by pacers compared to 33.3 percent by spinners at a strike rate of 19.3 and 23.7, respectively. With plenty of cricket played at the venue in the past couple of months due to the Indian Premier League, the wicket is expected to be on the slower side.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
Wanindu Hasaranga
Waninudu Hasaranga has been one of the vital cogs in the bowling unit of Sri Lanka. The leg spinner is currently second in the ICC World T20 rankings for bowlers and has picked up 38 wickets in 24 innings at an economy rate of 6.55. With the sluggish nature of the wickets in the UAE, Hasaranga will be one of the players to watch out for because of his ability to stem the flow of runs and pick up crucial wickets.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Hasaranga to score 6-10 runs and pick up 0-1 wickets in this match.
X-FACTORS
Curtis Campher
After a record-breaking performance in the first game against the Netherlands, Curtis Campher will be one of the X factors in this world event. The 22-year old derailed the batting unit of the Dutch outfit by picking up four wickets in four deliveries in the middle overs. The right-arm medium pacer bowls a consistent line and length, making him one of the most lethal bowlers on these types of wickets.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Campher to score 14-20 runs and pick up 0-1 wickets in this match.
Avishka Fernando
Avishka Fernando started the ICC World T20 campaign in a sublime manner as he anchored the Sri Lankan run chase in their last encounter against Namibia. After tottering at 26/3 in pursuit of 97, the right-handed batter guided the team over the line with a well compiled 30 off 28 deliveries studded with two sixes. The 23-year old has been one of the most prolific performers for Sri Lanka in recent times and will be one of the players to watch out for in the high-voltage competition.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Fernando to score 32-48 runs in this match.
Gareth Delany
A destructive 44 off 29 deliveries in the first match against the Netherlands, Gareth Delany set a solid foundation for a seven-wicket win in the opening encounter against Ireland. The right-handed batter has amassed 509 runs in 25 innings at a strike rate of 141.38, making him one of the most destructive players in the side. Delany will play a crucial role in shouldering the responsibility of the batting unit in the middle overs and giving them much needed impetus in the back end of the innings.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Delany to score 14-20 runs in this match.