Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

T20 WC 2021 Match 8: SL vs IRE Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SL vs IRE Dream11 Prediction Today | Sri Lanka vs Ireland Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

Group A was touted as the group of death. However, Sri Lanka and Ireland were having none of it, smashing Namibia and Netherlands respectively in their tournament openers.

Now, they play each other with the incentive of taking a huge step towards the Super 12s stage. Both bowling units were in fine touch, with Curtis Campher stealing the show thanks to a hat-trick – four wickets in four wickets – to decimate the Dutch. From a Sri Lankan perspective, it would have been pleasing to have their bowling attack work together as a unit and they will be aiming for more of the same.

However, question marks still remain about both these teams’ batting. Ireland still seem to rely a lot on Paul Stirling, while the Sri Lankans were reduced to 26/3 vs Namibia after a similar top order collapse against Oman a couple of weeks ago. In such a high stakes game, both teams will be looking for the complete performance.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

• Avishka Fernando has been the man in form for the Lions. He is looking good in the number four role, as he struck scores of 83*, 33, 62* and 61 before the World Cup, followed by a measured 30* off 28 balls against Namibia.
• Kusal Perera has the potential to take the game away from Ireland. Can he improve on his 2021 numbers that read 134 runs in six matches at an average/strike rate of 22.33/108.94?
• Bhanuka Rajapaksa came in at a tricky time against Namibia, but looked assured for the most part in his 27-ball 42*. He will be aiming to follow up that knock with another good contribution today.
• Chamika Karunaratne shaped the ball beautifully against the Namibians, and he will be key with the ball again under lights. His 1/17 came at an economy rate of just 4.25.
• Maheesh Theekshana has won player of the match in two of his five white-ball internationals so far. His accuracy and consistency was a future in his 3/25 against the Namibians.
• Wanindu Hasaranga has taken 22 wickets in 13 T20Is this year, striking every 13.9 deliveries. He will be key against an Irish lineup that will be aiming to hold their own against quality spin in UAE conditions.

Ireland:

• What a day it was for Curtis Campher against Netherlands. His four wickets in four balls swung the game completely in his team’s favour.
• Campher will be key in the middle overs once again, especially if he gets to bowl to new batsmen. Sri Lanka have shown a tendency to lose wickets in the powerplay, so Campher is one to keep an eye on.
• Paul Stirling wasn’t at his best vs Netherlands, but spent important time at the crease nonetheless (30* off 39 balls). He is having a fine year in 2021, with 401 runs in 12 innings at an average of 40.10 and strike rate of 120.42. Key player.
• Gareth Delany is in fine touch. He scored 88* in the warm up match vs Bangladesh, followed by an impactful 44 off 29 balls against the Dutch.
• Andy Balbirnie is having a poor year in T20Is (12 inns, 172 runs, avg. 15.63, SR 110.25). Also, he has a modest record on this ground (91 runs, avg. 22.75, SR 115.69), but he has the ability and class to turn these numbers around.
• Mark Adair was simply outstanding against the Dutch, taking 3/9 with 14 dot balls. He bowled two overs in the powerplay and two at the death, which shows the Irish trust Adair to do the business in the crunch stages.
• Josh Little has taken eight wickets in eight T20Is this year at an economy rate of just 5.90. He also will be key in the powerplay and death overs.

Stats and Facts

• Ireland and Sri Lanka have played just the one T20I, which was in the 2009 World Cup. Sri Lanka won by nine runs in a close match.
• Kevin O’Brien is the only current player who played in the 2009 match between the two countries.
• Harry Tector has struck 50, 55, 13*, 38 and 23 in his last five white-ball matches.

Possible Playing 11

Sri Lanka should stick with the same XI that beat Namibia.

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

Ireland should also persist with the same team that beat Netherlands.

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. Kevin O’Brien, 3. Andy Balbirnie (c), 4. Gareth Delany, 5. Curtis Campher, 6. Harry Tector, 7. Neil Rock (wk), 8. Simi Singh, 9. Mark Adair, 10. Josh Little, 11. Ben White

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

Dew may play a key role, which can prompt the captain who wins the toss to field first. Expect an easy-paced batting track, despite the low scores by Netherlands and Namibia two days ago.

Another warm and clear evening is forecast.

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: Avishka Fernando, Paul Stirling
• All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Curtis Campher
• Bowlers: Mark Adair, Maheesh Theekshana

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

Match Prediction

Ireland have what it takes to challenge Sri Lanka, no doubt. However, Sri Lanka are favourites to win this match on the back of their bowling attack.