Match: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, (NZ vs SL, 2nd T20I)

Date: April 5, 2023 – 6:30 AM IST

Venue: Hamilton University Oval, Dunedin

After delivering a thrilling super over finish in the first T20I, New Zealand and Sri Lanka will go head to head again on April 5th. Sri Lanka, who won the super over, will look to seal the series when they take on the hosts in the second T20I at Hamilton University Oval in Dunedin. 

The two teams engaged in a high-scoring thriller at Auckland’s Eden Park on 2nd April. Batting first, Sri Lanka didn’t have a great start as Adam Milne removed Pathum Nissanka on the very first ball. Kussl Mendis then smashed 25 off just nine deliveries while Kusal Perera went on to score an unbeaten 53 off 45. 

But it was Charith Asalanka who was the star for the visitors. He added 103-run partnership with Perera off 11.2 overs. Asalanka blasted six maximums and two fours in his knock of 67 in 41 balls. Wanindu Hasaranga also struck 11-ball 21* to push the total to 196/5. Jimmy Neesham was the pick of the bowlers for the home side, picking 2 for 30 off his four overs. 

Chasing the target, the Black Caps lost both their openers in the first two overs. Tom Latham scored 27 off 16 before Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman added 66 runs for the fourth wicket. Chapman scored 33 off 23 while Mitchell top-scored with 66 in 44 deliveries. 

New Zealand kept losing wickets at crucial phases. Neesham, Rachin Ravindra and Ish Sodhi played good cameos but the match was eventually tied. 

Maheesh Theekshana then produced an excellent super over, giving away only eight runs and picking up two wickets. Asalanka smashed Milne for a six and a four to finish the game. 

Pitch Report and Weather Forecast for NZ vs SL, 2nd T20I

Hamilton University Oval in Dunedin is a pretty good venue for batting with flat pitches and tiny boundaries. A total of 24 T20 matches have been played here, with the average first innings score of 170. Chasing is a better option here as 17 of those matches have been won by the team batting second. 

The weather forecast suggests Dunedin could witness a shower or two in the morning. But it should be cleared by afternoon when the match is scheduled. There’s less than a 10% chance of precipitation in the afternoon.

New Zealand – Expected XI and Team News 

In the absence of star players, New Zealand paired Tim Seifert with Chad Bowes at the top followed by Tom Latham. The middle order comprises Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham and Rachin Ravindra. Adam Milne, Henry Shipley and Ben Lister formed the pace unit in the previous game. Lister could make way for Matt Henry. 

Probable XI – Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham (c/wk), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Benjamin Lister 

Sri Lanka – Expected XI and Team News 

Sri Lanka have a top order of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera. Charith Asalanka was outstanding in the middle order in the first game. They have trusted Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan and Chamika Karunaratne to do the job in the pace department while Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana remain a reliable spin twin. 

Probable XI – Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka

Head to Head record of NZ vs SL 

Total Encounters – 21

New Zealand won – 11

Sri Lanka won – 7

Tie – 2

No Result – 1

New Zealand lead the last five encounters by 3-1.

Best Captaincy Picks for the NZ vs SL match

Daryl Mitchell: All-rounder, New Zealand   

Daryl Mitchell has continued his outstanding form from the other two formats into the T20Is as well. He smashed 66 runs off 44 in the first game. Mitchell has over 3300 runs in T20 cricket at 32 average and 133 strike rate while also picking 62 wickets. With his form, Mitchell is a top captaincy pick.

Kusal Mendis: Wicket-keeper Batter, Sri Lanka  

Kusal Mendis has been superb in the shorter format for the past few months. He has consistently provided fast starts to the team. He scored a quick-fire nine-ball 25 in the previous game. Mendis has over 3000 runs at 29 average and 136 strike rate, including 26 fifties. He can be a good C/VC option for this game.

Wanindu Hasaranga: All-rounder, Sri Lanka 

Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the best spinners in the shorter format and he can also contribute with the bat. He scored 21 off 11 balls and snared 2 for 30 in the first T20I of the series. He has 188 wickets in T20 cricket at a strike rate of just 14.8. Hasaranga is a top C/VC option here.

Top Differential Picks 

Pathum Nissanka: Batter, Sri Lanka 

Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for a golden duck in the previous game but remains a solid fantasy option. He averages 27 in T20 cricket with 14 fifties. Nissanka is picked by 42% of the MPL teams and can be a good differential. 

Ish Sodhi: Bowler, New Zealand  

The leg-spinner is a prolific wicket-taker in the shorter format. Sodhi has 258 wickets in T20 cricket at an economy of under 8. He is selected by only 28% of the MPL teams and offers good differential value.

MPL Fantasy XI 

Where and what time to watch the match live in India 

The New Zealand vs Sri Lanka series won’t be televised in India. However, you can catch all the live action on the online streaming platform Amazon Prime Video. 

Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.