Having qualified from the preliminary qualifying round, Sri Lanka and Ireland will kick-start their Super 12 round against each other when the two sides meet in the first match on Sunday in Hobart.
Both teams won two matches, each out of the three they played in the first round. Sri Lanka topped Group A while Ireland came second in Group B.
Sri Lanka had suffered a shock 55-run defeat to Namibia, but pulled themselves up to hammer UAE by 79 runs and won a close encounter against the Netherlands by only 16 runs. Ireland traveled a similar route: they first lost to Zimbabwe by 31 runs but then registered thumping wins over Scotland, by 6 wickets, and over West Indies, by 9 wickets.
SL vs IRE Pitch report, weather, date, and time
Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
SL vs IRE pitch report
Ireland will have an advantage in this game as they played all their three qualifying round matches at this ground. The surface in Hobart has had something for everyone – batsmen, pacers, and spinners. In the last round of matches, top-order batters – Munsey, Ervine, and Stirling – enjoyed the pace of the surface, and teams chasing won the last two matches.
Date and Time: October 23, 9:30 AM IST
Telecast: Star Sports Network
SL vs IRE predicted XIs
Pacer Pramod Madushan missed the previous game due to injury; if he’s fit, he will slot in either for Fernando or Lahiru Kumara.
Sri Lanka predicted XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara
Ireland is coming off with a satisfactory victory. So there seems little reason for a change in the XI unless any injury forces it.
Ireland predicted XI:
Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little
SL vs IRE Match prediction: Sri Lanka to win the match
We are predicting Sri Lanka to overcome the batting and new-ball bowling strength of Ireland, backing the Lankan spinners to make inroads regularly and also their top-order batters who have shown an appetite to bat long.
Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, knowledge, and instinct of the writer. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
