Betting Tips

Both teams will be rebuilding their T20I outfits after neither side progressed to the Super Eight phase of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Sri Lanka have seen the highs and lows of T20I cricket with an ICC trophy in the cabinet in the 20-over format. New Zealand may be an exciting team to watch with stand-in captain Mitchell Santner taking charge. He would have learnt a lot from being in successful Chennai Super Kings teams under MS Dhoni.

Sri Lanka’s fortunes will hinge on exploiting familiar conditions with their world-class spinners. New Zealand will be up for the challenge with an adaptable bowling attack. New Zealand’s batting depth and variety of bowling options might give them the edge.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Head-to-Head record

Although results show that there have been tight contests over the past five T20Is between them, New Zealand hold the slight advantage with three wins to Sri Lanka’s solitary win. Sri Lanka also managed a super over win in 2023 after the original match was tied.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live-Streaming and Broadcast

The first T20I featuring Sri Lanka and New Zealand on Saturday, 9 November 2024 at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium will be available to the Indian audience. Indian fans can catch the action on the FanCode app for live-streaming.

SL vs NZ Team Previews

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka brings a squad that features some of the top performers in the Lanka Premier League. The squad features a blend of youth and experience.

Led by Charith Asalanka, the home side have numerous explosive batters to choose from. As a newer captain to the national side, he will be tested. Despite this, he will relish the opportunity to play an attacking brand of cricket with players of the same ideology.

Kusal Mendis will be one of their reliable batters who can adjust to the needs of the game. Players like Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando are expected to take advantage of the powerplay. The experienced middle-order won’t step down the run rate either.

Sri Lanka’s spin-bowling attack of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana could test the Black Caps on a slower surface. Wanindu Hasaranga also adds lower-order runs with the bat. Maheesh Theekshana’s mystery spin makes him difficult to pick and will combine well with the leg-spin of Hasaranga.

The pace attack includes Matheesha Pathirana and the left-arm variation of Binura Fernando. They are still slightly inexperienced and so New Zealand may target them. Fernando will be most effective with the new ball and Pathirana is more of a death-overs specialist.

Sri Lanka Expected Playing 11

New Zealand

New Zealand enters the first T20I against Sri Lanka with a well-rounded squad that combines global T20 experience with up-and-coming talent. The team has a balanced lineup with its batters, bowlers and all-rounders. Under the captaincy of Mitchell Santner, New Zealand will look to take the game on against the home team.

Henry Nicholls and Will Young will build a steady batting foundation in the powerplay. With dynamic allrounders such as Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman to follow, the middle-order has all bases covered. Both players also have Lanka Premier League experience from this season to draw from.

In the bowling department, they have two experienced limited-overs bowlers in the form of Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi. Lockie Ferguson’s pace and Ish Sodhi’s leg-spin will be key to keeping Sri Lanka’s batters honest. Mitchell Santner brings both leadership and tactical flexibility.

He would have learnt a lot about captaincy after playing under MS Dhoni’s leadership in the Indian Premier League. He will be an important spin twin to Sodhi, while also capable of lower-order power-hitting.

New Zealand Expected Playing 11

SL vs NZ Toss Prediction

In night T20I games the tendency from captains is to want to bowl first. Neither team captain may disagree with that approach in the first T20I. Both teams may also want to make the most of bowling on a fresh wicket first up.

Pitch and Conditions

Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium will be a typical Sri Lankan pitch, potentially low and slow at times. The Black Caps may need a few overs to get accustomed to the conditions. Although, the few players who were also involved in their Test series in India may get up to speed faster. Six of the nine 2024 Lanka Premier League matches in Dambulla were won by the chasing side.

The weather forecast for Dambulla on matchday indicates hot and humid conditions, with a 50 percent chance of rain. Dew in the evening may influence bowling and fielding.

SL vs NZ Betting Tips

The Sri Lankans will have accurate and consistent spinners at their disposal in subcontinent conditions.

The biggest talking point for the home side could be whether their batting unit in the shortest format can bat aggressively for long enough to post competitive totals or chase down a daunting total. The New Zealanders have the best of both worlds in the form of youth and experience.

They have the power and experience to be able to start the T20 series with a win.

Bet on New Zealand to win.