NZ vs SL: Check our Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing Team Picks for 1st T20I

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Date & Time: April 2nd, at 6:30 AM IST and 2:00 PM Local Time

Live Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

What is the pitch report for NZ vs SL, 1st T20I?

It’s one of the best batting surfaces in the country with shorter boundaries on either side of the ground. It’s a tough place for any bowler to bowl here. The highest score recorded in the 24 T20Is is 243 and the lowest is 76. Chasing is a preferable option.

Recent form:

New Zealand: Lost Lost Won Tie Lost

Sri Lanka: Lost Won Lost Lost Won

NZ vs SL, 1st T20I Probable Winners:

New Zealand are expected to win this match.

What is the expected, Probable Playing XIs for NZ vs SL, 1st T20I?

New Zealand

Chad Bowes / Will Young, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman, Tom Latham (c & wk), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Adam Milne, Matt Henry

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha / Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana

Injury Updates:

As of now, there are no injury concerns. It will be added when there is an update.

What are the Top Picks, players for Dream11, My11circle and MPL for NZ vs SL, 1st T20I?

Top Pick – Batter

Pathum Nissanka failed to create an impact with the bat against India in the previous series where he managed to score 49 runs in 3 innings. Overall in his 39 T20Is, he has scored 1064 runs at an average of 28.75.

Top Pick – All-Rounder

Wanindu Hasaranga comes in as a full package in the shortest format of the game. His 4 overs will be crucial for Sri Lanka and he can add valuable runs down the order. In 55 T20Is, he has picked up 89 wickets and scored 503 runs.

Top Pick – Bowler

Maheesh Theekshana is a mystery bowler who completes his quota of overs without going for many runs. He has picked up 32 wickets in his 35 T20Is with the best figures of 3 for 17.

Top Pick – Wicketkeeper

Kusal Mendis likes to take the aggressive route in the Powerplay. He had a decent series against India where he scored 103 runs in 3 matches.

X-Factor:

Daryl Mitchell is in form having played decisive roles in the Test and ODI series win over Sri Lanka. In his 44 T20Is, he has accumulated 888 runs at an average of 27.75 and picked up 8 wickets.

What are the fantasy suggested teams for NZ vs SL, 1st T20I?

1. Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Daryl Mitchell (vc), Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Maheesh Theekshana

2. Tim Seifert, Kusal Mendis (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Dasun Shanaka (vc), James Neesham, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Ish Sodhi, Dilshan Madushanka

Pre-Match Analysis:

Like the ODI series, New Zealand will again miss the services of their key players due to IPL commitments. Tom Latham who is not a regular T20 member will lead the side. Since T20 World Cup 2022 they have featured in two bilateral series against India and lost both 1-0 and 2-1 at home and overseas respectively. This series marks the return of wicketkeeper batter Tim Seifert who last played his T20I back in November 2021. James Neesham who wasn’t part of the T20I series against India and ODIs against Sri Lanka has been included in the side. Chad Bowes who made his ODI debut in the preceding ODI series also been named in the T20 squad. It’s a good opportunity for the 2nd fringe players to showcase their true potential.

Sri Lanka went winless in the Test and ODI series on this tour and will be keen to put up a strong show in the shortest format. Lasith Croospulle and Kusal Perera who weren’t part of the ODIs have joined the T20I squad. They have played only 3 T20Is this year and where they managed to win only one. It’s their best opportunity to claim the series as they are playing against a new-look New Zealand side. Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Matheesha Pathirana will only travel to India after completing the series.