The equation is pretty simple. Sri Lanka have to win both their games now in order to stay alive in the competition. Even that won't be enough if Bangladesh do not lose another game. That's the sort of territory Sri Lanka find themselves in after making a false start to the 2024 T20 World Cup. This is what two losses in two games can do to you in this competition. But first, the focus will be on the controllables.
Sri Lanka will have to make improvements in every department to fetch their first win. As we saw already against South Africa, the batting unit needs to fire. While the conditions were obviously not batting friendly, Sri Lanka struggled against Bangladesh as well. From 100/3 after 14 overs, they collapsed to post just 124.
Against Nepal, who are one of the weakest teams in the competition, Sri Lanka will look to rectify that. The bowling attack will feel confident though, against a batting line up that got shot out for 106. Their batters will find the going tough against the likes of Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara, pacers with slingy actions. Nothing is for granted in this tournament as we have seen already but some of these factors do point towards two points for Sri Lanka. The weather might play spoilsport though.
When: Sri Lanka vs Nepal, 11:30 PM GMT, 7:30 PM local, 5:00 AM IST (June 12)
Where: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida
What to expect: Rain poses a huge threat to Sri Lanka's hopes of fetching their first win. In terms of conditions, this will be the first match at this venue in this year's World Cup. The last time a T20I was played here in August 2023, West Indies chased down 166 against India with ease.
Team Watch
Sri Lanka
Sadeera Samarawickrama could be in line for a recall in place of the misfiring Kamindu Mendis. Sri Lanka may have to reconsider their call to keep promoting Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka.
Tactics & Matchups: Kushal Malla's strike-rate against leg spin since 2023 is 200. However, he has been dismissed against off spin five times in this period. Sri Lanka have the likes of Dhananjaya and Theekshana to take advantage. Pathirana and Thushara might pose a problem as well with the Nepal players not used to their bowling actions.
Sandeep Lamichhane will continue to be unavailable for Nepal since the game is scheduled in the United States. He will join the squad only for the Caribbean leg of the tournament.
- This is the first T20 International between Sri Lanka and Nepal.
- Sri Lanka played two previous T20Is in Lauderhill in 2010 and Angelo Mathews is the only survivor from that series.
What they said
"If you see in this World Cup, you'll see that the associate team is beating Test playing countries. So, it is a motivation for all of us, especially moving forward to tomorrow's game. So as a team, we believe that we are going to win tomorrow and the way we have been preparing for the last couple of months and the way we have been playing cricket for the last one and a half years, I think the belief is always there in the team and we are looking forward to tomorrow's game." - Skipper Rohit Paudel wants Nepal to take inspiration from the results so far in the World Cup
Sri Lanka
Nepal
