Dambulla Viiking vs Jaffna Stallions, Lanka Premier League 2020, Today Match Prediction 14 Dec 2020

dhk vs jst Match Prediction & Analysis

After more than 15 days of non-stop action of the preliminary stages, the inaugural Lanka Premier League is now finally entering into its final phase where four teams will battle it out to become the champions.

Dambulla Viking, Colombo Kings, Jaffna Stallions and Galle Gladiators are the remaining four teams in the tournament who will lock horns in the two-semifinals to be played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium at Hambantota.

Second of those last-four clash will be between Jaffna Stallions and Dambulla Vikings which will be played in Hambantota on 14th December.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Dambulla Viiking Preview

Dasun Shanaka-led unit will be keen to bring their A-game to the table with bat and ball against Colombo Kings.

Captain Dasun Shanaka has been in scintillating form in the inaugural Lankan Premier League and is currently franchise’s leading run-scorer with 273 runs in 8 innings at an average of 45.50 with two half-centuries to his name.

Wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella has been a consistent performer for Dambulla Viking with 241 runs in eight innings at an average of 34.42. Left-hander will be keen to put in something special with the bat.

The biggest surprise has been consistency shown by middle-order batsman Angelo Perera, who has accumulated 222 runs in 6 innings at an average of 55.50 with a strike rate of 142.30, which included two half-centuries.

In the bowling department, the dependency will be on the likes of Kasun Rajitha, Malinda Pushpakumara and Anwar Ali to make crucial breakthroughs in this knockout game.

Dambulla Viiking Predicted Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Pulina Tharanga, Angelo Perera, Dasun Shanaka (c), Samit Patel, Samiullah Shinwari, Malinda Pushpakumara, Anwar Ali, Lahiru Kumara

Dambulla Viiking Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Kasun Rajitha, Samiullah Shenwari, Lahiru Kumara, Upul Tharanga, Dasun Shanaka, Anwar Ali, Malinda Pushpakumara, Samit Patel, Angelo Perera

Jaffna Stallions Preview

Thisara Perera-led unit seemed to have lost momentum in the later stages of the competition after not being able to register a win in their last four matches.

The team management will now know that they have a serious task on their hands in terms of selecting the final XI for this semifinal clash.

With two defeats on the bounce, the side will be make a strong comeback in this must win game against Galle Gladiators.

In-form opener Avishka Fernando will be slotted into the playing XI in place of Tom Moores, while Usman Shinwari will replace B Fernando for this semifinal game.

For this semifinal clash, the onus will be on the likes of Avishka Fernando, Shoaib Malik and Thisara Perera to deliver the bulk of the runs.

Captain and all-rounder Thisara Perera has shown excellent form with the bat and is the leading run-scorer for the Stallions and eighth-highest in the competition with 215 runs in nine innings at an outstanding average of 43.00 and with a strike-rate of 215.00, which included two fifties.

He is very-well supported by opening batsman Avishka Fernando, who has accumulated 209 runs at an impressive average of 41.80 and with a strike-rate of 134.83, which included two fifties.

On the bowling front, Jaffna Stallions have one of the best spinners in the competition in the form of Wanindu Hasaranga.

The Leg-spinner is the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 13 wickets in eight matches at an outstanding strike-rate of 13.30 and with an average of 12.23.

He is being well-supported by fellow pacer Duanne Olivier who till now has 8 wickets to his name in seven outings at a strike-rate of 15.10 and with an economy-rate of 10.21.

Jaffna Stallions Predicted Playing XI:

Avishka Fernando, Johnson Charles (wk), Minod Bhanuka, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Usman Shinwari, Suranga Lakmal, Duanne Olivier, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

Jaffna Stallions Actual Playing XI:

Avishka Fernando, Duanne Olivier, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Charith Asalanka, Chaturanga de Silva, Suranga Lakmal, Usman Khan, Johnson Charles, Shoaib Malik, Wanidu Hasaranga

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

With Monday weather expected to be partly cloudy with light winds, the wicket prepared for the game will be perfect for batting. The spinners might get something out of this surface.

Venue Details

In the previous meeting between the two teams, Jaffna Stallions registered a comprehensive 66-run win over Dambulla Vikings.

Toss: To Bat

Both the teams will be keen to win the toss, bat first on this surface. Average first innings score so far this season has been around 170 runs. Out of last five matches, four have been won by side batting second.