NZ vs SL 1st T20 Match Prediction & Betting Tips
The three-match IT20 series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka begins on Sunday afternoon at Eden Park. New Zealand lost their last IT20 series, 2-1 to India in January. Sri Lanka were also beaten by the same scoreline and the same opposition earlier this year. Read on as we preview the first game of this series. The game begins in Auckland at 13:00 local time.
New Zealand have come out on top in every completed game of Sri Lanka’s tour so far. It would take a big swing of form for both teams for the Black Caps to lose this match.
Sri Lanka’s confidence has fallen as this tour has gone on but their coaching staff will be reminding them of some of their top performances over the last 12 months. In local conditions, it will be very tough for Sri Lanka to win.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 Match Live Streaming
TV channels: This match will be shown live on BT Sport, Spark Sport and Supreme TV
Live Streaming: Fans can stream the match on Amazon Prime.
NZ vs SL Match Toss Prediction
24 of 35 T20 games played at this venue have been won by the team batting second. It would be a big surprise if either skipper won the toss and chose to field first in this IT20.
NZ vs SL, Eden Park Pitch Report
There is always some assistance for the pace bowlers on any pitch in New Zealand. We expect more of the same with a par score no higher than 165 in this match.
Auckland Weather Report
Plenty of cloud cover is forecast during the scheduled hours of play in this game. Humidity will be up at 75% during this fixture.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 Match 2023
New Zealand Team News & Playing 11
NZ Team News
As with the ODI series, New Zealand are without some of their best white ball players due to the IPL. This match provides another chance for some of the fringe players to show their T20 ability at the highest level against a good international team.
NZ Key Players
- Will Young- the opening batter has another opportunity to make a claim for a regular place in the international setup. He hit 86 not out on Friday in the longer format and will want to make an impact in this game.
- Daryl Mitchell- the batting all-rounder produced the goods for his side with the ball in the final ODI. He has been in excellent batting form over the last month across all formats.
- Matt Henry- the tall right-arm pace bowler was one of New Zealand’s most consistent performers across the ODI series and has taken over 100 domestic T20 wickets.
NZ Team Form
New Zealand have won only one of their last five matches in this format but have a very strong record across all formats at home.
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New Zealand Predicted Playing 11
Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c), Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Henry Shipley, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi
Sri Lanka Team News & Playing 11
SL Team News
Although Sri Lanka have lost the Test series and the ODI series 2-0 on this tour of New Zealand, they will think that their best opportunity to end the losing run will be in these IT20s. There are no injuries in the team ahead of this match
SL Key Players
- Pathum Nissanka- in a batting line-up which has often looked a little short of confidence in New Zealand conditions, the opener impressed with 57 in the final ODI.
- Dasun Shanaka- the skipper impressed in the last IT20 series with scores of 45, 56 not out and 23 against India. On his day he can be unstoppable in this format.
- Lahiru Kumara- the quick bowler is a very consistent wicket taker in this format. Over his last 11 IT20 appearances, he has taken at least one wicket in 10.
SL Team Form
Sri Lanka lost their last IT20 by 91 runs but did beat India by 16 runs in their second to last match in this format.
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing 11
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Nuwanido Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Head to Head
Although the overall head to head score of 11-7 to New Zealand is quite close, Sri Lanka have lost six of their last seven IT20s against New Zealand.
NZ vs SL Head to Head Stats in T20
| |
Matches Played |
NZ Won |
SL Won |
Tie |
NR |
| Overall |
20 |
11 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
| Last 5 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Betting Odds
In spite of their very poor returns on this tour, Sri Lanka do not have particularly long odds for this match. However, they are the underdogs against New Zealand the favourites.
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Who will win New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 Match?
Although New Zealand are not at full strength, and we saw them struggle for runs at points in the last ODI, they still look to have a much better side ahead of this game.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Prediction
Sri Lanka came into the Test series on this tour looking to qualify for the World Test Championship Final and the ODIs to increase their chances of reaching the 2023 World Cup. However they have lost both series 2-0 and they have looked uncertain in local conditions. We expect Sri Lanka to have some positive moments in this game, particularly with the bat, but our prediction is for another win for New Zealand. Even without many of their best players, we still see New Zealand’s squad as far better for these conditions.
Apr 02, 2023
05:30 IST / 0:00 GMT
Eden Park - Auckland, New Zealand
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