Team news, likely XIs, form guide, players to watch, odds, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, umpire appointments and everything else you need to know
Sri Lanka take on the Netherlands in the preliminary round of the T20 World Cup.
The game is scheduled for 6pm local time (3pm BST) on Friday, October 20, 2021.
The game will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
Sharjah Cricket Stadium: Ground guide
Well, this game is entirely academic: Sri Lanka are through, the Netherlands are out.
Sadly for the Dutch, they haven't been able to find their best form, losing heavily to Ireland, before David Wiese and Gerhard Erasmus took Namibia to their first World Cup victory in the Netherlands' second game.
Sri Lanka have been imperious with the ball, rolling Namibia without allowing the tournament debutants to reach three figures, before hammering Ireland on Wednesday despite a poor start with the bat.
Dafabet have Sri Lanka as strong favourites to make it three from three, offering odds of 1/8. The Netherlands are outsiders at 5/1 to grab a consolation win.
Wanindu Hasaranga has been terrific with bat and ball for Sri Lanka so far; he is ranked 38th on the T20 Player Index and has proven crucial so far for his side. Alongside him, Maheesh Theekshana has impressed with his mystery spin, offering more than a hint of nostalgia, with his similarities to Ajantha Mendis.
For the Netherlands, this is likely to be Ryan ten Doeschate's last game as a professional cricketer, with the Essex great announcing his retirement for the end of the year.
He was dismissed first ball in his country's opening game against Ireland, and he didn't bat against Namibia. It would be fitting were he to finish with a final flourish.
Dinesh Chandimal's mediocre T20I career has continued into this tournament and must be under threat for Sri Lanka as they look to sort out their top order.
For the Netherlands, Brandon Glover and Ben Cooper missed out against Namibia as coach Ryan Campbell looked for a winning formula that has continued to elude his side.
The following umpires and match referees have been named by the ICC to officiate in the T20 World Cup 2021:
Referees: David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Javagal Srinath
Umpires: Chris Brown, Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nitin Menon, Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Rod Tucker, Joel Wilson, Paul Wilson
The following officials have been allocated to this fixture:
On-field umpires: Dar, Brown
TV umpire: Illlingworth
Fourth umpire: J Wilson
Referee: Crowe
Full T20 World Cup officials appointments: Click here
Temperatures are expected to climb to 33 degrees Celsius in Sharjah but will be cooling down as the evening arrives.
Follow the Met Office forecast here.
Yes, though Covid protocols including the wearing of face masks will be in place.
Click here to visit the ICC's ticketing site.
It's hard to see anything other than a Sri Lanka victory.
T20 WORLD CUP TEAM GUIDES
Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Talk Talk 404, BT TV 423, Virgin 504) will broadcast the series in the United Kingdom, with the content available online via its streaming platform Sky Go.
BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra will have live ball-by-ball radio commentary of all tournament matches, accessible through the BBC Sport website, BBC Sounds or DAB radio.
The Star Sports network is showing the tournament in India. Matches can be streamed via Disney+ Hotstar
Other broadcasters by territory:
Australia - Fox Sports, Channel 9, Kayo Sports
New Zealand – Sky Sport New Zealand
Pakistan - PTV Sports, Ten Sports
Bangladesh - Ghazi Tv (GTV)
Sri Lanka – SLRC (Channel Eye)
South Africa – SuperSport
Caribbean – ESPN
Middle East and North Africa – eLife TV, StarzPlay, Switch TV
USA – ESPN+
Singapore - Star Cricket, Star Hub and Singtel
Malaysia - Fox International Channels
Hong Kong - Star Cricket
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando
Netherlands: Pieter Seelaar (c), Colin Ackermann, Philippe Boissevain, Bas de Leede, Paul van Meekeren, Ben Cooper, Max O'Dowd, Scott Edwards, Ryan ten Doeschate, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Brandon Glover, Fred Klaassen, Logan van Beek, Stephan Myburgh
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera
Netherlands: Max O'Dowd, Stephan Myburgh, Roelof van der Merwe, Colin Ackermann, Ryan ten Doeschate, Scott Edwards, Pieter Seelaar, Logan van Beek, Fred Klaassen, Timm van der Gugten, Paul van Meekeren
T20 World Cup Hub: News, features, stats, live scores
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