After stealing a super-over victory against Kandy in the season opener, Colombo faces Galle in the second double-header fixture of Sri Lanka T20 League 2020.
Match Timings: Nov 28, 8 PM
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Sri Lanka T20 League has double-header fixtures on Saturday, and the night clash will witness Colombo and Galle going head to head. Colombo had the last laugh in its opening fixture after playing a thrilling super-over. Kandy posted a huge total of 219 while batting first, and Chandimal guided this chase with his hard-hitting 80 off just 46 balls. The drama in flag-overs unfolded a thrilling end to this chase, and the match went in super-over. After scoring 12-balls 34, Udana also defended 16 in super-over, and Colombo added two points from the opening game.
Angelo Mathews’ side has power-hitters, including Andre Russell, and Udana’s hitting gave them a boosting option at the finishing end. In middle-overs, Mathews needs to promote himself up in the order. The bowling might be a worrying sign in Colombo as they conceded 200 plus runs in the first game. Russell is not bowling, and Mathews is also not taking enough interest to bowl in middle-overs. Qais Ahmed is a great inclusion, but he bowled three overs in the last game, questioning the skipper’s call. Despite some bowling error, Colombo would go with the same playing XI in this fixture.
Meanwhile, Afridi managed to play the opening game for Galle, thanks to the special restriction in quarantine. He would lead Galle in this Sunday fixture. The Pakistan-owned franchise had early blows ahead of the tournament. First, Malinga got injured, and then, captain Afridi missed his flight to Sri Lanka. Mohammed Amir and Asitha Fernando would fancy Galle’s chances with the new ball. Amir has recently played in Pakistan T20 League and National T20 Cup.
With Lakshan Sandakan and Akila Dananjaya in the spin option, they can control the run-rate in the middle-overs. In top-order, Gunathilaka and Hazratullah Zazai would have a responsibility in top-order following Rajapaksa, Shehan Jayasuriya, and Ahsan Ali carrying the innings in middle-order. No all-around option can hurt Galle’s campaign this season. In T20 format, without an all-around option, you cannot win matches. The good mixup of local and overseas players can help Galle overcome Colombo, but the task on a batting surface is not easy.
Pitch Report
Hambantota’s surface is good for batting, and it provides good assistance to spinners. In the night fixture, the dew will play a major role, as we saw in previous fixtures. Chasing is a great call after winning the toss. We might expect 180-200 on this surface.
Possible XI
Galle
Danushka Gunathilaka, Chadwick Walton, Azam Khan(w), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shahid Afridi(c), Akila Dananjaya, Milinda Siriwardana, Shehan Jayasuriya, Mohamed Shiraz, Mohammad Amir, Asitha Fernando
Colombo
Laurie Evans, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ashan Priyanjan, Thikshila de Silva, Angelo Mathews (c), Andre Russell, Isuru Udana, Qais Ahmad, Dushmantha Chameera, Manpreet Gony, Amila Aponso
Key Players
Galle
Hazratullah Zazai
Shpageeza T20 League 2020 – M: 7, Runs: 180, SR: 132.35
Lakshan Sandakan
In T20Is – M: 17, Wickets: 17, Avg: 28.82
Colombo
Angelo Mathews 
Domestic season 2020 – Innings: 7, Runs: 308, Avg: 60.16
Dinesh Chandimal
Previous outing – 80 (46)
