Sri Lanka will take on the Netherlands in what would be the last game of the group stage. Sri Lanka have already qualified for Super 12 after winning their first two matches, while the Netherlands have been eliminated after two defeats. However, if the Netherlands win by a massive margin, Sri Lanka may slide to second position and end up being placed in Group B.
The Sri Lankan bowling attack have been firing on all cylinders. They skittled out Namibia for 96 and Ireland for 101 in the first two games. Both oppositions have struggled against Maheesh Theekshan, who has bamboozled them with his 'mystery' off breaks. He claimed three wickets each in both games.
The pace attack, comprising of Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara, is as potent. Both have regularly clocked in excess of 140 kph, and have been ably assisted by the medium pace of Chamika Karunaratne.
But things get a bit tricky on the batting front, with top order repeatedly failing time and again. It will not get easy for them in Super 12, where they will be up against more experienced bowling attacks. Against Ireland, Pathum Nissanka finally found form after a string of low scores. But he got his runs at a slow pace, and concerns remain over his ability to capitalise on field restrictions. Kusal Perera and Dinesh Chandimal, the senior men, have failed in each innings.
The Dutch, meanwhile, will like to depart with a consolation win. They lost to Ireland in the opening game, and succumbed to a six-wicket loss to Namibia. Barring Max O'Dowd, none of their batters has risen to the occasion. Against Namibia, they made 164/4 but saw it getting breached in 19 overs.
Probable XIs:
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara
Netherlands: Max O'Dowd, Stephan Myburgh, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Ryan ten Doeschate, Scott Edwards (wk), Roelof van der Merwe, Pieter Seelaar (c), Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Fred Klaassen
Fantasy Tips
- O'Dowd and Ackermann are two must-have players from the Dutch side.
- Appoint Hasaranga captain of your fantasy XI.
- Klaassen, Theekshana, van der Gugten should be the three bowlers.
Blitzpools Fantasy XI
Max O'Dowd, Scott Edwards, Colin Ackermann, Fred Klaassen, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Tim van der Gugten, Lahiru Kumara, Chamika Karunaratne