Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

T20 WC 2021 Match 12: SL vs NED Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SL vs NED Dream11 Prediction Today | Sri Lanka vs Netherlands Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

The tournament’s first dead-rubber game isn’t without importance. Sri Lanka, despite two excellent victories against Namibia and Ireland respectively, still need to solve their top order woes. Ahead of the Super 12s, this is the chance to gain some confidence in that area.

Sri Lanka fell to 26/3 vs Namibia, followed by 8/3 vs Ireland. It was a remarkable recovery led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Pathum Nissanka last time out, but if Sri Lanka are to be any sort of threat in this tournament, top order collapses are something they need to overcome.

The positive has certainly been their bowling. The pacers have bowled with plenty of fire and purpose, while spinners Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have also been too hot to handle. So, this should hold them in good stead against a Netherlands side that has arguably been the tournament’s most disappointing so far. The Dutch, considered a good chance of qualifying to the Super 12s by many fans and pundits, are no chance now and will be looking to finish a disappointing campaign on a high.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

• Wanindu Hasaranga said he considers himself as a batting all-rounder. His 47-ball 71 was outstanding against Ireland, and he will be one to watch with the bat again if he gets the chance.
• Hasaranga has taken three wickets in the two matches so far in this tournament (1/12 and 2/24), part of 23 wickets in just 14 T20Is this year at an economy rate of 5.43.
• Pathum Nissanka has scored two fifties in his last three white-ball matches, including an important 61 last game vs Ireland.
• Avishka Fernando was out for a first ball duck against Ireland, so can he rediscover his previous form? He scored 83*, 33, 62* and 61 before the World Cup, before a measured 30* vs Namibia.
• Kusal Perera, who has had a slow start to the World Cup (11 and 0), is now averaging less than 20 in T20Is this year (134 runs, avg. 19.14). Today is a good chance to find some form ahead of the Super 12s.
• Maheesh Theekshana has been in superb form. The left-arm spinner has taken 3/17 and 3/25 so far in the group stage, and he is definitely one to watch on the slow Sharjah surface. Only Shakib and Josh Davey have more wickets in the tournament so far, and both have played an extra match.
• Watch out for Lahiru Kumara in the death overs in particular. He has been cranking up the pace, and it remains to be seen how the Dutch cope. Kumara has four wickets in the two matches so far (2/9 and 2/22).

Netherlands:

• Max O’Dowd has been the bright spot for the Netherlands. He has scored two half-centuries in two matches in the tournament, part of 293 runs in just six innings this year at a strike rate of 137.
• O’Dowd still leads the run-scoring chart despite playing just two matches. He has 121 runs to his name so far at an average of 60.50 and strike rate of 117.47.
• A big game from Roelof van der Merwe gives Netherlands a better chance of causing an upset. He has been expensive with the ball so far this tournament and hasn’t been in the runs. Can he deliver today?
• Colin Ackermann will also be key with his all-round spin ability. He didn’t quite get going vs Namibia (35 off 32 balls), but helped Netherlands set a platform. He could be a key player on the slow Sharjah pitch.
• As can skipper Pietar Seelaar. He underbowled himself against Namibia (2-1-8-1), and should look to bowl his full quota on the Sharjah track.
• Fred Klaasen has taken a wicket in each of his two matches so far in this tournament.

Stats and Facts

• The only T20I between these teams was one of the most one-sided of all time. Sri Lanka bowled Netherlands out for 39 in the 2014 World Cup, and won with 90 balls to spare. Sri Lanka ended up winning that World Cup.
• Netherlands to play Paul van Meekeren? The pacer had a good CPL season with St Kitts who won the title.
• Chamika Karunaratne (three wickets) and Dushmantha Chameera (two wickets) are conceding just 5.86 and 5.00 runs per over respectively in the tournament.

Possible Playing 11

Charith Asalanka could come in for the out-of-form Dinesh Chandimal. Also, Sri Lanka may rest Dushmantha Chameera.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kusal Perera (wk), 3. Charith Asalanka/Dinesh Chandimal, 4. Avishka Fernando, 5. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Chamika Karunaratne, 8. Wanindu Hasaranga, 9. Binura Fernando/Dushmantha Chameera, 10. Maheesh Theekshana, 11. Lahiru Kumara

Netherlands could look at playing Paul van Meekeren and/or Brandon Glover in this match.

Netherlands: 1. Max O’Dowd, 2. Stephan Myburgh/Ben Cooper, 3. Roelof van der Merwe, 4. Colin Ackermann, 5. Ryan ten Doeschate, 6. Scott Edwards (wk), 7. Bas de Leede, 8. Pieter Seelaar (c), 9. Logan van Beek/Paul van Meekeren, 10. Fred Klaassen, 11. Timm van der Gugten/Brandon Glover

Sharjah Pitch Report and Weather

The Sharjah surface was the most difficult to bat on out of the three UAE grounds in the recent IPL. The average first innings score was 137, with the chasing team winning seven out of the 10 matches.

Expect another slow surface in what will be very hot conditions. A challenge for the players.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Kusal Perera
• Batsmen: Max O’Dowd, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka
• All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Colin Ackermann
• Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

Sri Lanka to win.