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The well-rounded Colombo Strikers squad head into the final couple of games of the league phase with the possibility of a top two finish being quite unlikely but their only hope would be by defeating the Galle Marvels at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
DATE & TIME: Monday 15th July, 2024: USA ET – 7:00am / USA PT – 10:00am / UK – 3:00pm / South Africa – 4:00pm / Pakistan – 7:00pm / India – 7:30pm / Sri Lanka – 7:30pm / Bangladesh – 8:00pm / Tuesday 16th July, 2024: Australia – 12:00am
VENUE: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
WEATHER: 28c or 82.4 F with cloudy skies and the possibility of rain
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Not Televised / West Indies – Not Televised / UK – Not Televised / South Africa – Not Televised / Pakistan – Star Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Star Sports / Australia – Not Televised / Sri Lanka – Star Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Not Available / West Indies – Not Available / UK – Not Available / South Africa – Not Available / Pakistan – Tapmad / India – Fancode / Bangladesh – Not Available / Australia – Kayo Sports / Sri Lanka – Dialog TV
COLOMBO STRIKERS FORM: STRIKERS LOOKING TO POUNCE
The Colombo Strikers come into this one on the back of an emphatic demolition of league leading Jaffna Kings in their most recent outing. Colombo restricted Jaffna to just 109-9 in their 20 overs before rampaging to a nine-wicket win in just 9.4 overs with ICC T20 World Cup top run scorer Rahmanullah Gurbaz hitting 57 not out from 33 balls.
LAST THREE: WLL
GALLE MARVELS FORM: BEING MARVELLED AT
The Galle Marvels have got into the top two at this stage with what is an outstanding top three consisting of Alex Hales, Niroshan Dickwella and Tim Seifert. The Marvels most recently defeated the Dambulla Sixers with a super over after the two teams were tied at 148 apiece in the 40 overs that preceded it.
LAST THREE: WLW
COLOMBO STRIKERS BETTING ANALYSIS
In that aforementioned clash with the Jaffna Kings the other day, Rahmanullah Gurbaz really came to the party in the run chase. The excellent opening batter has had a relatively slow start to the tournament but we saw in the ICC T20 World Cup that he can put scores together. Gurbaz to go and be the Strikers’ best batter would seem a good bet for this one.
With the ball, the Strikers have relied upon the excellent spin duo of Dunith Wellalage and Shadab Khan. The latter has been arguably the player of the tournament thus far and picked up 4-10 in four overs so, given that Colombo is a turning track, backing the Pakistan all-rounder to collect another two or more wickets seems a good shout.
GALLE MARVELS BETTING ANALYSIS
As mentioned, the Galle Marvels have an excellent top three but it does have to be said that beyond that there is very little. That means there is emphasis on the top three actually staying in so going slowly is key and Alex Hales has proved himself throughout his career to be a good anchor, despite his array of shots. Hales to continue that responsible approach with a 30+ score would be a good tip.
In the bowling department, the Marvels have the current second leading wicket-taker in the tournament with only Shadab Khan having taken more poles than Isuru Udana. Zahoor Khan is the third leading wicket-taker but neither are spin bowlers and, as mentioned, Colombo takes turn. With that, it would appear a good value bet to back Maheesh Theekshana to be the Marvels’ best bowler in the match.
COLOMBO STRIKERS VS GALLE MARVELS EXPERT PREDICTION
Even if the Colombo Strikers win this match then they would be reliant on a net run rate gain to stand any chance of leapfrogging the Galle Marvels into the top two and avoiding the eliminator. They do appear two strong sides, though, and it would not be a major shock to see this end up as the final. With a result difficult to call, it would be reasonable to back the Marvels’ best bowler from their last outing, Maheesh Theekshana, to take two or more wickets as he returns to form on a pitch more suited to his bowling.
COLOMBO STRIKERS VS GALLE MARVELS TOP TIP: MAHEESH THEEKSHANA TO TAKE TWO OR MORE WICKETS