SL vs NZ Dream11 Team Prediction: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I Best Dream 11 Team

SL vs NZ Dream11 Team Prediction: Post a drawn Test series, proceedings have now shifted to the shortest format in Sri Lanka.

The first T20I of the ongoing New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka will be played tonight at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. With the two-match Test series ending in a draw, teams would be looking to yield a result in the three-match series.

The last time Sri Lanka played a T20I series at home was a one-off T20I against England in October. One has to go back to August 2018 to trace a Sri Lankan T20I victory at home.

On the other hand, New Zealand’s last away T20I series was also a one-off T20I during the tour of Australia in February 2018.

SL vs NZ Dream11 Team Prediction

Probable Playing XI

Sri Lanka Squad

1) Danushka Gunathilaka 2) Niroshan Dickwella (wk) 3) Avishka Fernando 4) Kusal Perera 5) Shehan Jayasuriya 6) Dasun Shanaka 7) Wanidu Hasaranga 8) Isuru Udana 9) Lasith Malinga (c) 10) Kasun Rajitha 11) Lahiru Kumara

New Zealand Squad

1) Colin Munro 2) Martin Guptill 3) Tim Seifert (wk) 4) Tom Bruce 5) Ross Taylor 6) Colin de Grandhomme 7) Mitchell Santner 8) Tim Southee (c) 9) Lockie Fersuson 10) Ish Sodhi / Todd Astle 11) Seth Rance

Top Four

Sri Lanka – Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando

New Zealand – Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert, Tom Bruce

Big-hitters

Sri Lanka – Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka

New Zealand – Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme

Death bowlers

Sri Lanka – Lasith Malinga

New Zealand – Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson

Pitch conditions and Toss

The surface at the Pallekele International Stadium generally suits the batsmen. Since the start of 2013, four T20Is have been played at the venue with scores in excess of 175 been registered on six occasions (out of eight). Therefore, expect the batsmen to score at a brisk pace tonight.

However, if rain affects the match in any manner, it will end up providing assistance for the fast bowlers.

Dream 11 Picks for SL vs NZ

Wicket-keepers for SL vs NZ Dream11

In Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella and New Zealand’s Tim Seifert, I have selected a couple of wicket-keeper batsmen for this match. A strike rate of 153.03 in the first match of a T20I series in addition to a strike rate of 140.26 while opening the batting are signs in the affirmative for the 26-year old cricketer.

As far as Seifert is concerned, a T20I strike rate of 161.60 in addition to his display of batting in the last series against India speak highly about his potential in this format.

Batsmen for SL vs NZ Dream11

Sri Lanka opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka is my first batsman for this match. The hard-hitting left-hand batsman can provide the hosts with a much-needed start at the top of the order.

Avishka Fernando, who impressed one and all with his performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, has also found a place in my Dream11 fantasy squad. Having played one a handful of T20Is till now, be alert at the toss regarding Fernando’s place in the Playing XI.

If he doesn’t get the nod, included any one out Kusal Mendis or Shehan Jayasuriya. Both the batsman will cost you the same. If you select the exact team, you will save 2.5 credits. Hence, you can also buy an expensive batsman if you want.

New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill (third-highest run-scorer in T20Is) is my third batsman for tonight. Given his stellar T20I record, one doesn’t need to provide reasons for picking him in the fantasy team. At a price of eight credits, New Zealand batsman Tom Bruce has it in him to become our budget buy for this match.

All-rounders for SL vs NZ Dream11

I have picked two Sri Lankan all-rounders for this match. While Dasun Shanaka will be my fast bowling all-rounder, Wanidu Hasaranga will be my spinning all-rounder. You can also play any other Sri Lanka in place of Hasaranga, if you want.

Bowlers for SL vs NZ Dream11

Going with outright experience, I have picked both the captains in Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga and New Zealand’s Tim Southee. Get them in for they tried and tested contenders and are likely to fetch you significant points in the match. My this specialist bowler was a tough decision between Lockie Ferguson and Seth Rance. I have selected the former due to his current form.

Dream 11 disclaimer

All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match, their performances in recent time, how the two teams have fared in the cricketing fraternity over the course of the last year, pitch report and a perusal of other reasoning. Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players who are expected to dole out the maximum points.