The defending T20 champions ticked all the boxes in their opener against Bangladesh — taking early wickets in the powerplay and sealing the game inside the first six overs with the bat, sending a warning to the tougher teams in the eight-team tournament.
Hong Kong, meanwhile, have lost both of their opening games, with their batters struggling to cope with more accomplished opponents. A significant improvement will be required if they are to make a contest out of this clash.
Sri Lanka’s pace duo, and , will fancy their chances against Hong Kong’s fragile top-order. Negotiating spinner in the middle overs will pose an even bigger challenge, as the crafty leg-spinner is known for targeting stumps and deceiving batters with his googlies. Death overs specialist , who had an off day against Bangladesh, will be eager to make amends with a barrage of yorkers.
On the batting front, Sri Lanka’s top-order of , , and can be destructive on their day. Both Nissanka and Mishara enter the game with runs already under their belt.
For Hong Kong, captain knows the improvements his batters need, but the bowlers did show progress in their last outing against Bangladesh.
“To be honest, I am happy with the batters but would have been happier if one of them got 60-70+ and got a big total. I think we know what we need to work on, hopefully we’ll do better next time,” Murtaza said after the loss.
Hong Kong openers and have underwhelmed so far, and runs in the powerplay will be crucial if their side is to mount any challenge.
Teams:
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.
Hong Kong: Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Nizakat Khan, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Ayush Shukla, Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Haroon Arshad, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Mohammad Waheed, Anas Khan, Ehsan Khan.
