Sri Lanka T20 League, 2022

Match 1: JK vs GG

Preview

The inaugural match of the Sri Lanka T20 League will be played among the Jaffna and the Galle franchises. The match is scheduled at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota. The game will commence at 03:00 PM on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. 

In the two seasons of the league, JK led by Thisara Perera and with optimal support from Shoaib Malik won the title both times. This is one of the reasons why the team will be under pressure this season. But with all responsibilities, they are geared up to win this title for the third consecutive year and create history this time around. 

On the other side, the Kusal Mendis-led Galle franchise possesses a strong team at their service. They have the opening pair of Kushal namely Mendis and Perera who are one of the top openers in the tournament. Also, Azam Khan who was phenomenal in the UAE T10 League is expected to bat in the middle order. 

Match Details

Match:  JK vs GG, Match 1, Sri Lanka T20 League 2022

Date: Tuesday, December 06, 2022

Time: 03:00 PM

Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

Pitch and Weather Report

Hambantota’s pitch is generally good for batting. The surface usually doesn’t change as the game progresses. The spinners will come in handy during the game. The skipper winning the toss will choose to bowl first as they can read the pitch in the second innings of the game while letting their opponents struggle in the first innings. 

There is a 50 percent chance of rain which might delay the match timings. The weather will be overcast with clouds all over during the game. The temperature will be around 27 degrees Celcius and the level of humidity will be more than 70. 

Squads

JK: Thisara Perera (c), Shoaib Malik, Maheesh Theekshana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ashan Randika, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Hardus Viljoen, Evin Lewis, Shahnawaz Dahani, Binura Fernando, Tristan Stubbs, Suminda Lakshan, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dilshan Madushanka, Nipun Dananjaya, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Theivendiram Dinoshan

GG: Kusal Mendis (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Danushka Gunathilaka, Pulina Tharanga, Nuwan Thushara, Faheem Ashraf, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Imad Wasim, Janneman Malan, Sherfane Rutherford, Azam Khan, Nuwanidu Fernando, Nimesh Vimukthi, Nipun Malinga, Sachindu Colombage, Lakshan Gamage, Tharindu Kaushal, Shammu Ashan

Probable Playing XIs

JK: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Avishka Fernando, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Dhananjaya de Silva, Shoaib Malik, Dunith Wellalage, Thisara Perera (C), James Neesham, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando

GG: Kusal Mendis (C), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Nimesh Vimukthi, Movin Subasingha, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Mohammad Hasnain

Match Prediction

JK are the defending champions and are having a good squad this time as well. It will not be a surprise if they win against GG and have a perfect start in this season of the Sri Lanka T20 League.

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