The T20 World Cup 2021 has begun with some stunning performances, as already a huge upset has Scotland went on to defeat the Group B favorites Bangladesh. The 8th match of this edition is to take place between resurgent Sri Lanka and in-form Ireland, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, this Wednesday.
The match stands to be a very significant one for both sides as a win here could see them attain the golden ticket to the Super 12 stages. Sri Lanka will come on the back of a victory against the Namibia side and they pretty much had no hiccups in the 96 runs chase. While the Irish too had a comfortable victory over the Dutch side in their opener.
🎥: PRESS CONFERENCE
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) October 19, 2021
Highlights from last night’s press conference with Andrew Balbirnie and Graham Ford - they discussed the Netherlands match and looked ahead to the Sri Lanka match.
➡️ https://t.co/sQyminzapR#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/Sc4L9pyrSX
The sides have only faced each other once prior to this showdown and it would not be a surprise that Sri Lanka did get the better of them. However, things are very different for the Lankans since that victory and now find themselves in a rough patch. Can Ireland create a huge upset? Or will the Lankans make an easy inroad to the super 12s?
Match Toss Time:17:30 Local (19:00 IST)
Match Start Time:18:00 Local (19:30 IST)
Match Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Head to Head
Matches played: 1, Sri Lanka: 1, Ireland: 0
Weather conditions and pitch
Team News
Neither of the sides have reported any injuries and they would be more than happy to bolster the same Xl that helped the respective sides attain the crucial two points.
Probable playing Xl
Sri Lanka (SL): Kusal Perera (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara
Ireland (IRL): Paul Stirling, Kevin O Brien, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Neil Rock (wk), Simi Singh, Mark Adair, Benjamin White, Joshua Little
Must-picks
Irish opener Paul Stirling continued to play a significant role and once again anchored his team to win. Lankan opener Avishka Fernando too could add great value to your fantasy lineup.
Simi Singh and Kusal Perera are two other players who we feel are must-picks in your fantasy line-up solely based on their recent form.
SL vs IRL fantasy team
Captain and Vice-captain picks
Prediction
Rewind a couple of years and it would be a no-brainer that Sri Lanka are the favorites here. However, the revamped side have been finding the going difficult. Said that, the win against Namibia would definitely have taken the pressure off the Asian side.
Ireland have been gelling along well and their two departments have complemented each other well. This definitely would be in no means be a one-sided contest and we feel Ireland might just edge past the Lankan side solely due to their depth in the batting order.
Cricwizz predicts Ireland to win the match and top the Group A table.
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