Lanka T20 League 2023 

Match 12: GT vs BK

Preview 

The Lanka T20 League 2023 is getting on more thrilling as Galle will cross swords with Kandy for the 12th match on Tuesday, August 8 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Following a rough start with two losses, BK turned the tide and notched 2 consecutive wins. After defeating the reigning champions JK in their last game, BK has improved their net run rate to -0.562, although the franchise remains in fifth place on the points table. BK's next assignment is against GT, a team that handed them a crushing loss not too long ago. Dasun Shanaka-led GT has slipped from the top spot to number two after losing their last game against CS.

After winning their first two matches, GT has slipped a little, losing two matches on the trot. Their previous clash against CS was a thriller, where they were upstaged by a Pakistani batter Babar Azam masterclass. After asking to bat first on a flat pitch at Pallekele, GT scored a formidable 189-3 on the board. However, that didn’t prove to be enough, as CS clinched the game with one ball to spare. 

BK is coming off a massive 8-wicket win against JK in their last match. The decision to have Jaffna bat first paid off, as they were restricted to 117-9. In response, Wanindu Hasaranga-led BK effortlessly achieved the target in just 13 overs. Skipper led his side from the front with a sensational all-round performance. Hasaranga's extraordinary figures of 9-3 from 4 overs proved to be the turning point against JK. Then, he, in pursuit of boosting the team's net run rate, elevated himself to the No.3 position and smashed an unbeaten 52 off 32 balls.

Match Details

Match: GT vs BK, 12th Match, Lanka T20 League 2023

Date: Tuesday, August 08, 2023

Time: 03:00 PM

Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

Pitch and Weather Report

This venue favours the spinners which could turn out to be helpful while restricting the rival side from getting to a big score. However, the pitch also allows batters to play out their shots when they are set. The par score of this pitch is 150 runs and it will surely be a competitive total for both sides to compete. The average score batting first on this track in Lanka T20 League is 164. There have been four totals above 185 posted at Pallekele this season, with the highest being 192-6 by DA versus CS. The team batting first should look to set a target of around 190-195 runs on this pitch.

The weather forecast for this encounter is good with almost no chances of rain.

GT vs BK Squads

GT: Tim Seifert (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Shevon Daniel, Lasith Croospulle, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shakib Al Hasan, Lahiru Samarakoon, Seekkuge Prasanna, Vishwa Fernando, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kasun Rajitha, Minod Bhanuka, Mohammad Mithun, Ben Cutting, Akila Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Ashan Priyanjan, Anuk Fernando, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Mohamed Shiraz, Avishka Perera, Sohan de Livera, Chad Bowes

BK: Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Fakhar Zaman, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Ashen Bandara, Asif Ali, Isuru Udana, Mohammad Hasnain, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dushmantha Chameera, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Abeyratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Chaturanga de Silva, Navod Paranavithana, Sahan Arachchige, Mohammad Haris, Avishka Tharindu, Malsha Tharupathi, Aamer Jamal, Thanuka Dabare

GT vs BK Probable Playing XIs

GT: Shevon Daniel, Lasith Croospulle, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Tim Seifert (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Dasun Shanaka (c), Akila Dananjaya, Kasun Rajitha, Minod Bhanuka, Tabraiz Shamsi, Richard Ngarava

BK: Fakhar Zaman, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Asif Ali, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dushmantha Chameera

Match Prediction

Dasun Shanaka-led GT has a 4-3 H2H record against BK. Wanindu Hasaranga-led Kandy is surging in confidence after registering two back-to-back wins. Meanwhile, GT's charge has been halted a little after suffering two consecutive losses. Though the franchise continues to be a force to be reckoned with, their success hinges on the batting lineup's ability to function as a cohesive unit, rather than depending on just a few standout players.

Perhaps they would be better served if skipper Shanaka promotes himself to the middle-order. BK, meanwhile, is firing on all cylinders and would be eager to continue their winning streak. We say GT to win this fixture against BK.

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