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3 Key Players to Watch in the NZ vs SL Super 8 match: The excitement is at its peak in the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup. Today, two of Group 2's strongest teams, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, will face off at the historic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This match is not only a battle of prestige, but has also become a must-win game for both teams to stay in contention for a semi-final spot.
The journey of both teams so far: NZ vs SL
The Super 8s haven't had the expected start for either team:
- New Zealand's misfortune: The Kiwis, who had shown excellent form in the group stage by winning three out of four matches, had their first Super 8 match against Pakistan washed out due to rain. Due to the points split, New Zealand will now have to give their all in every match.
- Sri Lanka's Batting Concerns: Sri Lanka suffered a crushing 51-run defeat at the hands of England in their first Super 8 match. The Sri Lankan batsmen's collapse on a spin-friendly pitch has become a cause for concern for the team management.
Since England has already secured a place in the semi-finals, the contest for second place from Group 2 has become even more interesting.
NZ vs SL: 3 Key Players to Watch in Today’s T20 World Cup Match
These three players could turn the tide of the game on the spin-friendly Colombo pitch in today's match:
3. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) - Captain's return expected
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Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner has had a quiet tournament so far, but the Colombo pitch could prove to be a blessing in disguise.
- Challenge: Only 1 wicket in 4 innings so far.
- Strategy: Santner could trap the Sri Lankan batsmen with his clever bowling on the turning Premadasa pitch. As captain, he will be under pressure to lead the team from the front.
Also Read: Can Pakistan still reach the semi-finals?, T20 WC Group 2 Scenarios
2. Dunith Vellage (Sri Lanka) - Emerging Match Winner
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Young spinner Dunith Vellage has troubled even the best batsmen with his bowling.
- Excellent Stats: Has taken 7 wickets so far in this tournament.
- Strength of Last Match: He performed brilliantly against England, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs. His ability to take wickets in the powerplay poses a significant threat to New Zealand's top order.
1. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) - In-form star
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Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka is currently in the best form of his career.
- Performance: 208 runs in 5 matches at an average of 52.00 and a strike rate of 154.07.
- Why he's special: If Nissanka, who has scored a century and a half-century, can survive the powerplay, New Zealand will find it difficult to stop him.
Also Read: SL vs NZ AI Prediction, Team, Winning Probability Odds, Stats & Fantasy Tips
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