Sri Lanka's quest for a clean sweep at ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Pathum Nissanka has odds of 3.54 to be the best batsman for Sri Lanka   
• Max O'Dowd leads with odds of 4.52 to be Netherlands' best batter  
• Wanindu Hasaranga has odds of 3.73 to be the best bowler for Sri Lanka  
• Bas De Leede has odds of 3.90 to be the best bowl for the Netherlands  

MATCH PREVIEW     

Sri Lanka hasn't put a foot wrong in the  ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023. They have won all games and dominated their opponents on most occasions. The former World Champions would look to continue with this domination and enter the  World Cup in style with a big win in this game. The Netherlands have punched above their weight and defeated some of the bigger opponents in the tournament. They would look to pull off a surprise on the Lankans with a win that will boost their confidence ahead of the big tournament.  

Sri Lanka Preview     

Dasun Shanaka couldn't have asked for a better show from his team. They have dominated right from the start. It was a convincing show from the side in the last game against West Indies. However, Shanaka won't like to take the Netherlands lightly as the Dutch players gave them a scare in the league stage. The Sri Lankan skipper would like his side to stick to the basics in this game.  

Openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne have made nearly 800 runs between them and will look to deliver a solid start. The side shall like to see partnerships between Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka in the middle order. Dhananjaya de Silva, Shanaka, and Shanaka add firepower to the lower middle order making it strong.  

They expect a good burst with the new ball from Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha to put the Dutch side on the back foot. Wanindu Hasaranga has enjoyed a great tournament, and he will look to keep the scoring under check in the middle overs with Maheesh Theekshana. They have variety in the attack, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Shanaka on the side.   

Expected Starting XI for Sri Lanka     

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara 

Netherlands Preview     

Scott Edwards' team has achieved the primary goal they came into this tournament with. Irrespective of the result of this game, they will be in India for the World Cup. They defeated Scotland by 4 wickets in the last game to book their tickets for the biggest tournament in cricket. A win against Sri Lanka will be an icing on the cake for the side. They have never won against the Lankans and shall look to change it here.   

The side will need a good start from Max O'Dowd and Vikramjit Singh. Both players are in good form. Bas de Leede will feel confident after his match-winning hundred in the last game, and he must steer the middle order with Wesley Barresi and Teja Nidamanuru. Edwards has led the side from the front in the lower middle order and will look to score quick runs with Saqib Zulfiqar and Logan Van Beek.  

Their bowlers will face the toughest challenge in this game. Logan van Beek and Ryan Klein must do well with the new ball to put the Lankans under pressure. The middle overs will be crucial, and the side will need a strong show from Clayton Floyd and Aryan Dutt. Saqib Zulfiqar and Vikramjit Singh must deliver the goods supporting the side to win here.    

Expected Starting XI for Netherlands     

Scott Edwards (c & wk), Vikramjit Singh, Max O'Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, Logan van Beek, Saqib Zulfiqar, Teja Nidamanuru, Aryan Dutt, Clayton Floyd, Ryan Klein  

TOSS: To Bat First      

Harare Sports Club has a surface that's good for batting. We have seen big run chases in the tournament, and bowlers have only troubled batsmen in the first hour of the day when the ball moves around. Thus, we expect the side winning the toss to bowl first in this game.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

On July 20, the sky over Harare would be clear. The ball has come onto the bat nicely in most games, making it a great venue for the batters. The slowness of the pitch has allowed spinners to worry the batsmen. In this game, the team batting first must have 300 runs on the board to feel comfortable.  

OUR PREDICTION      

The Netherlands must play with everything they've got. Although they have a potent batting lineup, the bowling attack will be against the best batsmen in this tournament. It would be up to the Dutch bowlers to set up the game for the team. Sri Lanka has ticked all the boxes with the bat and the ball and will be on top of their confidence levels, making them favorites in this game.  

Our Prediction is for Sri Lanka to win