Sri Lanka vs Netherlands Final: ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023, Pitch Report, Final Match Preview, Probable XI and Fantasy Predictions

SL vs NED Match Details & Overview

The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 has reached its final stage. The Super Sixes round is over now and we have our two finalists who are going to play in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 in India. Sri Lanka vs Netherlands have qualified for the mega event. This is the final match of this tournament at Harare Sports Club on 9th July 2023. The match will begin at 12:30 PM IST or 9 AM local time. Sri Lanka are unbeaten so far while the Netherlands lost two matches in the journey before the finals. 

SL vs NED Pitch Report

The pitch looks good for batting. In the last match between Sri Lanka and West Indies, the latter got bowled out quickly and the Sri Lankans chased quite comfortably. Therefore, captains would want to bowl first since chasing looks relatively easier. Both teams have good batting lineups so expect a high-scoring game.

Sri Lanka vs Netherlands Final Match Preview

Team Sri Lanka

They are flying high at the moment since they are unbeaten and have qualified for the ODI World Cup 2023. The skipper Dasun Shanaka would be pleased with the way they bounced back after missing out on automatic qualification. They were off to a superb start in their campaign and one interesting fact to observe is that the only match where they struggled a bit to steal a win was against the same opposition Netherlands in the Super Sixes round.

The openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne have been extremely effective at the top. Both are 2nd and 3rd highest run-scorers of the tournament so far and scored the maximum runs for their team. The bowlers are on top of their game, especially the spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. Both are the 1st and the 2nd highest wicket-taker of the tournament so far and have successfully bamboozled the opposition with their variations and craftiness.

In the last match against West Indies, they bundled out the latter on 243 runs. M Theekshana picked up a 4-fer while Dushan Hemantha picked up two wickets. In reply, they chased the total with ease and once again the openers rose to the occasion. Nissanka hit back-to-back century while Karunaratne scored 83 runs from the other end and the job was nearly done by these two class batters.

Team Netherlands

They have shown a lot of grit, determination and spirit throughout the tournament. After suffering a loss in the opening game of the tournament against the host Zimbabwe, they came a long way. Their win against West Indies grabbed everyone’s eyeballs and that moment raised their confidence. In the Super Sixes round, they got over Scotland in a stylish fashion in the last match which confirmed their spot in the ODI World Cup 2023.

Their openers Vikramjit Singh and Max O’Dowd are scoring the maximum runs for the team and have stitched crucial partnerships. The all-rounder Bas de Leede was sensational in the last match and the skipper Scott Edwards is in sublime form in the middle order. Against Scotland, they were given a 277-run target. Bas de Leede picked up a 5-fer while Ryan Klein picked up two wickets. In reply, Bas de Leede single-handedly mastered the chase and turned the game in his team’s favour with his brilliant hundred. That was a spirited performance and they did no wrong when it mattered the most.

Sri Lanka vs Netherlands Head-to-Head Records

Both teams have played against each other 4 times and Sri Lanka have won all of them.

Sri Lanka vs Netherlands Key Players To Watch

We will take the SL vs NED stats of the ICC CWC Qualifiers 2023 tournament to understand the player’s current form.

Team Sri Lanka

Team Netherlands

Squads

Team Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama,  Dasun Shanaka(c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Sahan Arachchige, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha

Team Netherlands

Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Wesley Barresi, Scott Edwards(c & wk), Teja Nidamanuru, Bas de Leede, Shariz Ahmad, Aryan Dutt, Logan van Beek, Vivian Kingma, Saqib Zulfiqar, Clayton Floyd, Ryan Klein, Michael Levitt, Noah Croes

SL vs NED Probable Playing XI

Team Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(wk), Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

Team Netherlands

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

SL vs NED Final Fantasy Predictions

Team Sri Lanka

Team Netherlands

SL vs NED Dream 11 Fantasy Team

Based on the SL vs NED stats above, this could be the fantasy playing XI.

SL vs NED Betting Tips- Who Will Win?

Clearly, Sri Lanka are the favourites here since they are strong in all the departments. The Netherlands needs to be careful about Sri Lanka’s bowling which could cost them this match. Overall, Sri Lanka are a better team on paper and their bowling would turn the game on to their heads.

SL vs NED Conclusion

Sri Lanka had dominated everyone as expected and could prove again in this cricket match. The only concern is their middle order including the skipper Dasun Shanaka, S Samarawickrama who didn’t get a fair share of balls to showcase their batting skills. If the top order fails, they need to be careful about this fact. On the other hand, the Netherlands fought well against Sri Lanka in the Super Sixes round and they have the ability to repeat this special performance. Can they do it or Sri lankans will end their campaign with no defeat? Let’s wait for the result but we have an enthralling contest in our hands.