South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2019, Today Match Prediction 22 Mar 2019

n/a vs srl Match Prediction & Analysis

The tour that seemed promising for Sri Lanka after the historic test series win, isn’t living up to their expectation as the series is coming to an end. They did well to make a match out of the 1st T20I but eventually lost it in the super over. The 2nd T20I will be played at SuperSport park centurion on 22nd March. 

South Africa almost choked in the first T20I but Imran Tahir’s excellent super over bailed them out. The hosts wouldn’t be entirely happy about the turn of events though and would be looking to get a crushing win to seal the series in the second T20I; especially after the 5-0 series win in the ODIs

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

South Africa almost pulled off a choke from a very comfortable position in the first T20I at Newlands. It is performances like these that the unwanted tag of chokers has stuck with this talented team.

Winning the toss bowling first South Africa struck early getting a couple of early wickets in the first two overs. Except for Rabada, who went for above 10 an over, Steyn and co were very economical throughout the Sri Lanka innings restricting them to just 134. A simple chase turned interesting when South Africa kept losing wickets despite needing just 18 of the last four overs with 7 wickets in hand. Eventually, the hosts managed to tie the game which they won in super over defending 14. Imran Tahir bowled an excellent super over to see his side home.

David Miller received Man of the Match for batting but he must be mad at himself for getting out in a needless runout. South Africa would look to close the game better in the upcoming T20Is.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis(c), Kagiso Rabada, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Imran Tahir, JP Duminy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Dale Steyn, Quinton de Kock (wk), L Simpala.

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Jean-Paul Duminy, Rassie van der Dussen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks, Lutho Sipamla, Sinethemba Qeshile, Aiden Markram, DW Steyn, Chris Morris, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius

Sri Lanka Preview

To Sri Lanka’s credit, they made a match out of nothing in the first T20 International against South Africa. They should have lost the match easily but their incredible death bowling and some awful South African batting helped them almost clinch the match. Well, almost, as the super over decided the match in South Africa’s favor.

Batting first Sri Lanka never get going in setting up the target. They made run-a-ball 76 with half the back in the hut. Kamindu Mendis scored valuable 41 to get to a respectable yet below par score of 134. In defense, a win was a foregone conclusion until last 4 overs into the game. However, Lasith Malinga started turning tables in the 17th over picking 2 wickets giving just 2 runs. Eventually, it was a tie. 

In the super over though Malinga could not repeat the heroics as 15 proved too much for Sri Lanka to get in the super over. Sri Lanka must be hoping for a better outing with the bat in the second T20 international.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Lasith Malinga(c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Angelo Perera.

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Akila Dananjaya, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, JDF Vandersay, Angelo Perera, Kusal Mendis , Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga

Weather Conditions

The SuperSport Park at Centurion is a ground where there is pace and bounce and the ball comes nicely on to the bat. The pitch might get slower as the game progresses. The teams batting first have won 6 of the 8 T20Is played at this venue.

Toss: To Bat