SL vs RSA Match Preview

South Africa will go into this match and tournament after a thre-nil T20I whitewash at the hands of the West Indies. But the Proteas were without some of their Indian Premier League stars at the time. Now, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and others are ready to fire.

Sri Lanka have named Wanindu Hasaranga captain for this tournament. It will be interesting to see if the extra responsibility empowers or limits his status as one of the best all-rounders in T20I cricket. Hasaranga is an outstanding leg-spinner and middle-order hitter - and well worth getting into your Dream11 team selection.

Markram and Klaasen are musts in your team. They reached the final of the IPL with the Sunrisers Hyderabad recently. Klaasen was in great form and has played cricket in the USA previously. He hit a century for the Seattle Orcas in the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket.

Tristan Stubbs is another batter that can pack plenty of punch. He was superb for the Delhi Capitals in the 2024 IPL. At the top of the order, carefully consider Quinton de Kock. He has not beein great form, but is a world-beater on his day - and can double as your Dream11 team's wicketkeeper. He's almost always sound behind the stumps.

Get Pathum Nissanka into your team. Here is an opening batter who has already scored 10 half-centuries in T20I cricket. He reads conditions quickly and well. Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is the venue for the match and will have many relatively unknown factors, which presents a great opportunity for Nissanka to stand out from the rest.

if you are not going to select Hasaranga, a different wrist spinner worth your investment is Tabraiz Shamsi. He has succeeded in this format around the world. Shamsi has already collected one five-wicket haul and two four-fors in T20I competition. He could benefit from additional bounce at this venue.

Weather Report

Rain is forecast in New York on matchday. This could be advantageous to the team batting second and potentially chasing an adjusted target. This might influence the decision at the toss.

Pitch Report

This ground is brand new to international cricket. India and Bangladesh will have played a warm-up match here two days prior to this clash between the Proteas and Sri Lanka. The warm-up fixture will provide a good indicator of what first-innings total could be competitive. Both teams should select at least one specialist spinner.

Notable stats

Klaasen in form

Klaasen was SRH's third-highest run-scorer in the 2024 IPL. His strike rate of 171 was among the best. He is nearing 1,000 runs in T20I cricket. Based on his current form, that milestone should arrive this tournament.

Team News

South Africa might struggle to justify Anrich Nortje's position in the XI. The fast bowler has been out of form for an extended period. Sri Lanka might debut Dunith Wellalage in T20I cricket. The left-arm spinner is a promising talent.

SL vs RSA Probable 11

SL Playing 11

  • Pathum Nissanka
  • Kusal Mendis (Wk)
  • Kamindu Mendis
  • Sadeera Samarawickrama
  • Charith Asalanka
  • Angelo Mathews
  • Wanindu Hasaranga (C)
  • Dasun Shanaka
  • Dhananjaya de Silva
  • Maheesh Theekshana
  • Dushmantha Chameera

RSA Playing 11

  • Quinton de Kock (Wk)
  • Reeza Hendricks
  • Aiden Markram
  • Heinrich Klaasen (C)
  • David Miller
  • Tristan Stubbs
  • Marco Jansen
  • Keshav Maharaj
  • Kagiso Rabada
  • Tabraiz Shamsi
  • Ottneil Baartman
This is not the official playing 11 for the match. This is a prediction of the expected playing 11 for each team based on the writers analysis.

Dream11 Prediction

South Africa have stronger batting and bowling resources. But they will need big performances from their key figureheads. The Proteas are in a stronger position to win this match than Sri Lanka.

Top Picks

Heinrich Klaasen: Get the big-hitting middle-order batter from South Africa into your Dream11 team selection and anticipate a big performance.

Wanindu Hasaranga: For a world-class leg-spinner and all-rounder, select the Sri Lanka captain. Anticipate a telling showing from this talisman.

Ottneil Baartman: The South African seamer is new to international cricket, but quickly making a name for himself with clever variations, pinpoint yorkers and a knack for taking wickets at crucial junctures.

SL vs RSA Dream11 Team 1

Keeper: Quinton de Kock

Batters: Pathum Nissanka, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram (C), Angelo Mathews

All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Wanindu Hasaranga (VC)

Bowlers: Dhananjaya de Silva, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dushmantha Chameera