T20 World Cup 2022: Match 27 - Predicted Sri Lanka Playing XI vs New Zealand
Sri Lanka are coming after a defeat against Australia.
4 Min Read


The 27th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 will see Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka square off against New Zealand in their third fixture of the Super 12 campaign. The Asia Cup 2022 winners comfortably won their first match against an in-form Ireland side, however, they were handed a defeat by Australia in the following match.
The Kiwis, on the other hand, had a massive win in their first fixture of their Super 12 campaign against the Aussies, which spiked their net run rate to 4.450. However, in their second game against Afghanistan, rain gods made their presence felt and the match was abandoned without a single ball bowled.
As the spots for the semi-finals is still wide open, the Lankan Lions and the Kiwis will look to win the game to make their chances stronger. It will be interesting to see which side emerges victorious in the clash.
Let’s look at Sri Lanka’s probable playing XI against New Zealand
Openers: Kusal Mendis (wk) and Pathum Nissanka
Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis has been on a run-scoring spree since the Asia Cup. The batter has made 46 outings in the T20I format and scored 1012 runs with 79 as his highest knock. Keeping aside the underwhelming performance against Australia in the last match, Mendis has got the side the big runs and is capable of producing match winning knocks.
His partner Pathum Nissanka can get the runs as well but has displayed rather slow performances with the bat. The opener got 40 runs in 45 balls against Australia. He could help anchor the innings and hit the big shots later in the Lankan innings.
Middle-order: Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Dhananjaya de Silva is a sound batter who can play in the middle-order or even start as an opener when the side requires. The batter is known to produce some strong performances that can be a game-changer for the side.
Chairth Asalanka was initially struggling to get runs, however, since the innings against Ireland he has been scoring well. The middle-order batter can be effective and cause damage to the rival side when he gets aggressive.
Another big hitter down the middle-order, Bhanuka Rajapaksa can make his presence felt in no time and cause ruckus on the pitch. However, he underwhelming against Australia on his part as he scored 7 off his 5 balls.
All-rounders: Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga
Skipper Dasun Shanaka has been the boss of the side when it comes to playing vital, aggressive knocks for the side. For Sri Lanka to make it to the semi-finals, Shanaka will need to play a few more knocks as he has before.
Wanindu Hasaranga has been the leading wicket-taker of the side and has been very efficient despite the Australian conditions not being in favour spinners. However, Hasaranga was smashed left, right and centre by the Aussie batters in the previous match as he leaked 53 runs off just three overs. He will aim to improve his economy and scalp a few vital wickets against the Kiwis.
Meanwhile, Chamika Karunaratne has been fine with his pace and has read the Australian conditions well to play the batters and bamboozle them. However, he could be a bowler the Kiwis may target in order to get the big scores.
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
Maheesh Theekshana and Lahiru Kumara have had some fine outings this World Cup. The two will look to maintain this form against the Black Caps batters. The Lankan Lions have replaced Binura Fernando with Asitha Fernando ahead of the match against New Zealand. This came after Binura, who replaced Dilshan Madushanka in the squad, endured a hamstring injury against Australia.
Sri Lanka predicted XI against New Zealand: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
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