Former World Champions Sri Lanka start their campaign against Associate nation Namibia in the most un-world champion like manner, on October 18 in the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
It has been a steep fall for Sri Lanka since their 2014 campaign where they comprehensively defeated India in the finals. A squad that once housed the likes of Kumar Sangakarra, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga among others now does not have a single world beater in their squad.
After a string of bad patches in the last couple of years, Sri Lanka now find themselves unable to start the tournament at the Super 12 stage with bigwigs like Indian and England. They now have to play the First Round or the qualifying round and defeat their competition in Namibia, Ireland and the Netherlands to qualify into the Super 12s.
While a squad of Sri Lanka’s stature should not have a problem, but this is the World Cup and weirder things have happened.
Namibia come into the tournament as one of the strongest associate teams and are well capable of punching above their weight. This is going to be their first appearance in an ICC World Cup after a wait of 18 years. Coming into the tournament, they have form by their side, and have won six out of their last six games.
David Wiese, once an able member of the South African squad, now vies his trade with their African neighbours. He is well travelled and understands what is required off a stage like this. He was among wickets in this year’s Caribbean Premier League and could well be the deciding factor in this game.
Match Details
Sri Lanka vs Namibia
Match Number - 4
Date & Time - 18 October, 7:30 PM IST (6 PM local)
Venue - Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Broadcast & Stream - Star Sports network, Disney+Hotstar
Pitch Report
If the Indian Premier League is anything to go by, Abu Dhabi can turn out to be one of the most inconsequential pitches in the tournament. It has generally favoured the spinners and has produced uneven bounce in the latter overs.
Even though this is going to be an evening game, teams, if they win the toss, should opt to bat first.
Players to watch out for
Sri Lanka
Wainindu Hasaranga
Don’t be fooled by his off form in the Indian Premier League, Abu Dhabi might bring the best out of Hasaranga. Hasaranga’s bowling attributes might be of mighty use in Abu Dhabi. His claim to fame has been his ability to attack the stumps from a very low release point which allows him to hit the stumps more often than not. This attribute might be of high demand in a track like Abu Dhabi and Hasaranga could be the most important asset that SL have.
Namibia
Craig Williams
The Namibia batting order revolves around the capability of Craig Williams and his ability to play the role of an anchor. He has scored four half-centuries in his last five T20 games and it would not be an understatement to say that he could make or break the fortunes of Namibia tomorrow.
Sri Lanka Probable XI
Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana
Namibia Probable XI
Stephan Baard, Zane Green (wk), Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (c), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Pikky Ya France, Jan Frylinck, Ben Shikongo, Bernard Scholtz, Michael van Lingen
CE Fantasy XI
Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus, Avishka Fernando (c), David Wiese (vc), Wainindu Hasaranga, JJ Smit, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana