The State of Play
Sri Lanka cannot afford what would be a huge upset defeat if they are to keep alive their hopes of progressing at the T20 World Cup 2024 when they meet Nepal in Florida on Wednesday.
Setbacks against South Africa and Bangladesh have left the 2014 champions on the brink of elimination, with even successive victories requiring a net run rate swing for them to qualify.
“We still have two games and we will try to do our best,” said captain and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, offering a blunt assessment of his side’s performance following their two-wicket defeat to Bangladesh.
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“We started well in the first 10 overs but in the middle overs, we batted badly. Bowling is our strength.
“If we had got 150-to-160, we could have won with our bowling attack. The batters let us down in both games.”
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Nepal suffered a six-wicket defeat to the Netherlands in their opening game, when they were not helped by batting in far more difficult conditions than their opponents faced for a chase of 106.
Questionable fielding also hindered their hopes of making a winning start to their bid to advance for the first time on their second appearance at the World Cup.
Their subsequent showdown with the USA was abandoned because of rain at Texas’ Grand Prairie Stadium.
Spinner Sandeep Lamichhane could be involved for the first time after announcing he has flown to join the team following two failed Visa applications to enter the United States.
Lamichhane becomes part of a squad who probably need two wins and would be guaranteed to go through with three.
Heartbreaker! Despite a thrilling fight, Bangladesh takes the win by 2 wickets in today’s #T20WorldCup clash. pic.twitter.com/WuAw5uoDTY
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 8, 2024
Expected line-ups
Sri Lanka: Mendis (wk), Nissanka, De Silva, Samarawickrama, Asalanka, Mathews, Shanaka, Hasaranga (c), Theekshana, Pathirana, Thushara
Nepal: Bhurtel, Sheikh (wk), Sah, Malla, Paudel (c), Jora, Jha, Kami, Karan, Dhakal, Lamichhane
🇳🇵🌎On to the next one 🏏
Gearing up for the second showdown at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as #Rhinos are set to face Sri Lanka at June 12 💥#T20WorldCup | #NepalCricket | #OneBallBattles | #OutOfThisWorld pic.twitter.com/I6CXBRitMZ
— CAN (@CricketNep) June 6, 2024
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the T20 World Cup to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Coverage gets underway on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action from midnight UK time.
In India, the games can be streamed on Disney + Hotstar app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
Prediction
Nepal are perhaps not the huge outsiders the odds might suggest, and their first match at the finals in 10 years made a highly promising start when the Netherlands lost their first wicket for three runs – but that was as good as it got.
Rohit Paudel’s 35 made the captain their only player to score more than 17, but they will be determined not to bat as poorly again.
Nuwan Thushara will fancy his chances of causing the group outsiders problems after taking 4-18 in four overs against Bangladesh, and the urgency of Sri Lanka’s position should steer them clear of complacency and on to a first victory.
With the Netherlands to play in their subsequent match, The Lions are entitled to see the second half of their group stage as a presentable chance to take maximum points.
