Struggling SL look for redemption against Nepal

Sri Lanka are faced with a must-win situation against Nepal

Sri Lanka will look to register their first win when they face Nepal in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Group ‘D’ fixture at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Grounds in Lauderhill, Florida, USA. The match will commence at 5.00 a.m. on Wednesday.   

Sri Lanka have already lost back-to-back matches and are faced with a must-win situation to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the Super Eight stage of the 20-team competition.
They were skittle out for 77 runs in their opening match of the tournament and were completely outplayed by South Africa by six wickets at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The Lankans never recovered from this early setback and they managed to post just 124 for nine in the second match against Bangladesh at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

Sri Lanka of course, will take some heart from their performance on the field in that match as they fought back to claim eight wickets as Bangladesh reached their target with two wickets and one over to spare. 

In contrast, Nepal have played only one match so far, and they were bowled out for 106 runs in 19.2 overs against the Netherlands at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas while eventually losing by six wickets.    

Nepal are currently ahead in the net run-rate as well with an aggregate of -0.539 while Sri Lanka are trailing with an aggregate of -0.777. 

No doubt, Sri Lanka are faced with a daunting task to advance and they need to beat Nepal and the Netherlands, firstly, then hope South Africa wins big against Bangladesh, plus hope that the match between Bangladesh and the Netherlands at Saint Vincent on June 13 would end in a no-result. 

With 296 runs in his last 10 matches, Kusal Mendis has been in good form and if Sri Lanka are looking to register their first win of the tournament, a lot will depend on Mendis.

Ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga could be the best bowler with 15 wickets to his name in eight matches and his form will be key for Sri Lanka. 
(Agencies)