<strong>Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023 Cricket Prediction | 1st T20I: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka</strong>

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka at a glance

• New Zealand has won six of the last seven T20 internationals against Sri Lanka.
• Sri Lanka’s batting is undeniably reliant on Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis.
• New Zealand has only lost once at home to Sri Lanka, in 2006.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Team Preview

New Zealand

Thus far, New Zealand has won every completed match during Sri Lanka’s tour. The Black Caps losing this game would need a significant change in form for both teams.

Along with the ODI series, the IPL has kept some of New Zealand’s greatest white ball players away. This encounter provides an additional opportunity for some of the fringe players to demonstrate their T20 ability at the highest level against a strong international team.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s confidence has dipped as the tour has progressed, but their coaching staff will remind them of some of their best performances in the last year. Sri Lanka will find it difficult to win in these conditions.

Although Sri Lanka has lost the Test and ODI series in New Zealand 2-0, they would believe that the IT20s are their greatest chance to end their losing streak. There are no injuries in the squad for this encounter.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Team Playing Squads

New Zealand’s Squads

New Zealands Squads

Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Chad Bowes, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Henry Shipley, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, and Ish Sodhi.

Sri Lanka’s Squads

     Sri Lankas Squads

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanido Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Team Form in Last 5 Matches

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka outfield report

Eden Park

The side batting second has won 24 of the 35 T20 matches played at this venue. In this T20I, it would be a huge surprise if either captain won the toss and opted to bat first.

Throughout the game’s scheduled hours of play, there will be plenty of cloud cover. During this game, the humidity will be at 75%.

On any pitch in New Zealand, fast bowlers will find some support. We expect more of the same in this match, with a par score of no more than 165.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Final Prediction

Winning the toss

• New Zealand

Player of the Match

• New Zealand – Daryl Mitchell

Most sixes

• New Zealand – Daryl Mitchell 
• Sri Lanka – Kusal Mendis

Most wickets

• New Zealand – Ish Sodhi
• Sri Lanka – Wanindu Hasaranga

Most runs

• New Zealand – Daryl Mitchell 
• Sri Lanka – Kusal Mendis

Team Scores Batting First

• New Zealand – 170+
• Sri Lanka – 150+

According to our prediction, New Zealand will win this match.