After pulling off a super over thriller against Kandy Tuskers, Colombo will be pumped up to continue the good show against Galle Gladiators in the LPL 2020.
Dinesh Chandimal was the star with the bat as he smashed 80 runs. Isuru Udana's brilliant ower-order hitting of 34 off just 12 balls helped them to level the scores.
Galle has an impressive bowling attack with Mohammad Amir, Akila Dananjaya, and Asitha Fernando. Their star player, Shahid Afridi is back into the team after unfortunately missing his flight earlier.
Head to Head
Both the teams will play each other for the first time.
Team News
Colombo had a poor day with the ball as their pacers, Manpreet Gony and Dushmantha Chameera were ripped apart. Udana did not leak many runs. They can take the experienced Dhammika Prasad instead and also give leggie, Jeffrey Vandersay a chance. Galle has the attacking Danushka Gunathilaka at the top.
Azam Khan and Bhanuka Rajapaksha will be tasked with steadying the ship in the middle.
Pitch and Conditions
A used pitch will be used as there is a match before this clash. Dew will play a huge role and defending any target below 185 would be a big challenge. The batsmen can expect a flat strip and the bowlers will utilize the limited swing available at the beginning of the innings.
Probable Playing XI
Colombo Kings: Dinesh Chandimal, Laurie Evans, Thikshila De Silva, Andre Russell, Angelo Mathews(c), Ashan Priyanjan, Isuru Udana, Qais Ahmad, Manpreet Gony, Dhamikka Prasad, Amila Aponso.
Galle Gladiators: Danushka Gunathilaka, Hazrathullah Zazai, Azam Khan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Milinda Siriwardana, Shahid Afridi(c), Shehan Jayasuriya, Mohammad Amir, Akila Dananjaya, Mohamed Shiraz, Asitha Fernando.
Key Battles
Hazratullah Zazai vs Isuru Udana
Zazai is a bulky southpaw who can plunder runs on flat pitches. He struggles a bit if the new ball is moving. He must play the waiting game if he wants to hit a big knock.
Udana went wicketless the last match conceding 33 runs. He can trouble Zazai with his clever slower cutters. The left-arm will look to generate some swing at the beginning.
Dinesh Chandimal vs Mohammad Amir
Chandimal was adjudged the man of the match in the last encounter for his superb heroics with the bat. He will look to continue his golden touch.
Amir can bowl tight lines at the start without giving many runs. He is an attacking bowler who can take wickets regularly if he gets his line and length right. Chandimal must watch out for his deadly yorker and the nagging outswinger.
Prediction
Colombo will look to make it two wins in a row while Galle has a few big hitters in their side to hurt Colombo's plans. They need an all-around effort from the team to clinch the clash.
Cricwizz predicts Galle Gladiators to win the match
