If you were to take a pole and try to get an answer , sadly, many would state it depends on what type of team Sri Lanka will turn up with in this unpredictable format.
In the last 5 outings in this format, New Zealand has won Sri Lanka a dreadful one game only
The Kiwis are more deceplined whilst Sri Lanka is known to take things for granted when in control.
The last T 20 endorses my views as the visitors won the battle in the first half and were sitting ducks in the second half.
The top orders of Asalanka , Kamindu Mendis, and Kusal Janith Perera were guilty of playing audacious strokes that even a school boy Cricketer will be a shamed of. Bhanuka Rajapaksa got an unplayable yorker while Hasaranga was run out with run rate pressure mainly due to the circumstances of the match.
The big question is Matheesha Pathirana. By the looks of what we all saw yesterday, he is an overrated bowler, and this was proved far beyond doubt by both Darryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.
He conceeded 60 runs with 3 no balls. Hence, the think tank has no choice but to pursue with him due to limited options.
The Cricket Sri Lanka displayed on the day was the backyard effort played at a kiddies’ birthday party .
To compete at this level consistency , wisdom , and game awareness is a prerequisite.
Learn or depart is the step that must be taken by the selectors to ensure mistakes of this nature we witnessed yesterday is not repeated period.
New Zealand will come out as favourites, knowing the opposition is big-time chokers is what the black caps will know, hence their confidence level will be high.
Sri Lanka will have to prove that they are no chokers and can maintain the early advantage if given the opportunity to win games.
Who will win ? My caption on our headline has the answer.