Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey

T20 WC 2021 Match 4: SL vs NAM Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SL vs NAM Dream11 Prediction Today | Sri Lanka vs Namibia Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

Seven years ago, Sri Lanka were the talk of the town as they raised the T20 World Cup aloft. Their magnificent triumph came after consistent appearances in the business end of ODI World Cups in the 2000’s and 2011, and were a team to be feared.

So, the fact that Sri Lanka are now in the qualifiers is proof of such a steep decline in recent years. It is only until the last couple of months where optimism is beginning to grow again thanks to the arrival of some fine talent, but that alone won’t be enough to qualify out of a very competitive group that also includes Ireland and Netherlands.

As Sri Lanka have declined, Namibia have risen. The men from Southern Africa have gone from strength-to-strength over the past five years, and look in good shape to compete in their first global tournament since the 2003 ODI World Cup. They are certainly not here as pushovers, with 18 victories in 22 completed T20Is to date, including their last three against UAE, Scotland and PNG.

Namibia base their game around six hitting, which was crucial to their qualification back in 2019. Craig Williams is in superb touch, while Stephan Baard and Gerhard Erasmus will also look to lead the way. The Namibians also welcome David Wiese, who has the most five-wicket hauls of any bowler in T20 history.

Sri Lanka will have to be on their game. If they think they can just turn up and win, they have another thing coming. A good performance in such a competitive Group A will be key to qualification to the Super 12s stage.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

• Avishka Fernando has historically struggled in T20Is, but is enjoying a strong run of form batting at number four. He has struck 83*, 33, 62* and 61 in his last four matches vs Oman, Bangladesh and PNG.
• Sri Lanka will be hoping Kusal Perera is fit enough to play as he nurses a hamstring injury. He has 1,416 runs in T20s at a strike rate of 132.21.
• Can Pathum Nissanka impact this game at the top of the order? He is coming off a 58-ball 76 in his last game – the warm up match vs PNG.
• A firing Dhanajaya de Silva adds a different dimension to the Sri Lankan team. However, the all-rounder has struggled in T20s this year, with just 97 runs in 11 matches at an average of 13.86.
• Wanindu Hasaranga will have a key role to play. He didn’t make an impact in his limited opportunities in IPL 2021, but he remains an excellent talent. He has 20 wickets in 14 T20s this year at an economy rate of just 6.09, in addition to 1/24 and 2/16 the warm ups.
• However, Hasaranga will be out to make an impact with the bat. He has produced some fine knocks in ODIs, but has struggled in T20s this year with just 78 runs at an average of 7.80.
• Dushmantha Chameera was in fine touch in the warm ups, taking 3/27 and 2/20 against Bangladesh and PNG respectively. Chameera has been one of Sri Lanka’s bright spots this year, with 15 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.86.

Namibia:

• What Craig Williams has done for Namibian cricket has been outstanding, and he will be keen to deliver on the world stage even at the age of 37. He has struck 57, 50, 57, and 81 in his last four T20Is, part of a total of 259 runs this year at a strike rate of 142.
• Skipper Gerhard Erasmus was Namibia’s top run-scorer in the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifier (9 inns, 268 runs, avg. 38.28, SR 137.43). He will be seeking to improve on a bit of a lean run in recent matches (27, 0, 11, 32 and 4 in his last five matches).
• Erasmus will also be seeking an improvement on just 25 runs in four T20s on this ground at an average of 6.25.
• Stephen Baard was under par in the warm ups, scoring 1 and 0 vs Oman and Scotland respectively. He did strike 42, 39, 39 and 8 in his four T20s before that. Namibia’s third-highest run-scorer ever in T20Is (496 runs, avg. 33.08, SR 121.86) will be key at the top.
• JJ Smit has struck 22 sixes in 18 matches, only behind Erasmus’ 24 for Namibia in T20Is. Smit hit the most sixes in the 2019 World Cup Qualifier in the UAE, with 14 maximums in nine matches. He also took 16 wickets in the same campaign.
• David Wiese has six five-wicket hauls in T20s – the most of any bowler. Two of them came recently in the CPL. Also, Wiese had a fine hit out in the warm up vs Scotland, scoring 31 and taking 2/23.
• Jan Frylinck has the most wickets of any Namibian in T20Is, with 35 scalps in 20 matches at a superb average of 10.80 and strike rate of 11. This includes a remarkable 6/24 against UAE recently.

Stats and Facts

• This will be the first ever meeting between Sri Lanka and Namibia in international cricket.
• Sri Lanka have lost nine of 12 T20Is this year. Two of their three wins came against a very depleted India.
• Avishka Fernando has struck three fifties in his last four matches, but none were official T20Is. He is still looking for his first official T20I fifty.

Possible Playing 11

Kusal Perera is in doubt with a hamstring problem. If he is fit, he will certainly be a key addition at number three.

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

Namibia: 1. Stephan Baard, 2. Zane Green (wk), 3. Craig Williams, 4. Gerhard Erasmus (c), 5. David Wiese, 6. JJ Smit, 7. Pikky Ya France, 8. Jan Frylinck, 9. Ben Shikongo, 10. Bernard Scholtz, 11. Michael van Lingen

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at Abu Dhabi in the recent IPL was 159, with the chasing team winning five of the eight matches. However, the last game saw Mumbai Indians smash 235 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who themselves scored a strong 193 in reply.

A warm, clear evening is forecast.

Dream11 Prediction

Looking to increase your chances of winning in fantasy cricket?

I recommend Fan2Play for all fantasy cricket players. It gives players a 50% better chance of winning. Check out and download the Fan2Play app here

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

Fan2Play offers lower credit scores for 11-player fantasy teams. Check out and download the app here.

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Dinesh Chandimal
• Batsmen: Avishka Fernando, Craig Williams
• All-rounders: David Wiese, Wanindu Hasaranga, JJ Smit
• Bowlers: Dushmantha Chameera

Fan2Play is a new fantasy cricket platform. If you are looking to win more in fantasy cricket, it gives players a50% higher chance of winningwith different contests like:

• 2nd innings fantasy
• 2-player fantasy teams
• 3-player fantasy teams
• 4-player fantasy teams
• Regular 11-player fantasy with fewer players than platforms like Dream11

Check out the app here.

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

Match Prediction

Sri Lanka need to be wary of a motivated and talented Namibia side. But, they should have enough T20I experience to win.