Sri Lanka vs. Republic or Ireland Prediction: Sri Lanka In A Better Position to Win

After appearing in the first round of the T20 World Cup 2022, Sri Lanka and Ireland have had to go the long path to the Super 12s. Both teams lost their first match in that round, but they were able to advance to this round and compete against the big boys. That should have been the case, but both teams may take solace in the fact that their first game in the Super 12s is against a team that also participated in the first round, implying that there shouldn't be much between them.

With their title as Asia Cup champions, Sri Lanka will carry the weight of being the favorites. Dasun Shanaka's side demonstrated its lineage after being startled by Namibia by holding their hands up. Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis have been steady at the top of the order, with Dhananjaya de Silva supplying enough momentum in that top three. The middle order, on the other hand, will need to do a bit more if they are to be true contenders in a group that might go either way.

The loss to Dushmantha Chameera, the spearhead of their bowling line, is a big setback to the Sri Lankan side. Lahiru Kumara fared well as a substitute, as did Binura Fernando, but there may be an over-reliance on the two spinners, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. With Shanaka as a fast bowling option and other choices for the sixth bowler to replace Chamika Karunaratne, opposition batters may aim to target specific overs in the game.

Ireland's batting, which has taken many positives from the opening round. Curtis Campher's brilliant knock took them over the line in a must-win game in which the top-order struggled. Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie showed up when it counted most, in the last game against the West Indies, indicating that the Irish are ticking the right boxes at the right time.

Bowling-wise, Joshua Little and Mark Adair have acclimated to the big stage almost flawlessly, only now establishing the menace they've held. Barry McCarthy has been inconsistent, but the squad has other options in Simi Singh, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, and Curtis Campher.

It is the first time Ireland has advanced past the first round of the T20 World Cup since 2009, and it has taken a whole team effort to get them there.

When the two teams met in this format in 2009 and again in 2021, Sri Lanka won both times. One would expect them to win three out of three and maintain their unblemished record, but one should never underestimate the Irish luck. With a dogfight for points expected in a group where either club may beat the other, these two teams will be keen to get their first points on the board and put themselves in contention for the semi-finals.

• Sri Lanka Total Runs In First 8 Overs Over 60.5 for 1.8
• Total Under 311.5 for 1.832
• Total Runs, Over Number 1 Under 5.5 for 1.8