Sri Lanka vs Nepal Prediction: Hasaranga to continue influence

Sri Lanka are all but eliminated from the T20 World Cup after two heavy defeats in their opening two games against South Africa and Bangladesh.

They will look to add some respectability to their campaign with success on Wednesday (00:30, Sky Sports Main Event) against Nepal, who were beaten by the Netherlands in their opener and are a big price to progress from this pool. Read below for my Sri Lanka vs Nepal prediction and all the latest team news.

Team News

Nepal’s star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane remains absent after visa issues but is expected to play in their final two games.

Expected good conditions for batsmen may force Sri Lanka into playing one more in place of an all-rounder.

Sri Lanka vs Nepal Odds

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Sri Lanka are favourites at 1/11 to get the victory in this clash, with Nepal trading at 13/2 for an upset success.

Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are joint 11/4 favourites to be Sri Lanka’s top run scorer, while Rohit Paudel is the 11/4 favourite to be Nepal's Top Run Scorer.

Wanindu Hasaranga top Sri Lanka wicket taker @ 5/2

Nuwan Thushara was Sri Lanka’s top wicket-taker against Bangladesh with figures of 4/18 but the consistency of Wanindu Hasaranga means he could take the mantle this time around.

The leg spinner took 2/32 against Bangladesh, meaning that he has now taken at least two wickets in four of his last five T20Is.

That consistent approach could reap rewards in this clash and the 26-year-old is now his country’s highest-ever wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in this format, racking up 102 scalps.

The captain took a hat-trick in the 2021 edition of the tournament and can have a major impact on this game.

Side with Hasaranga to be the top Sri Lankan wicket-taker in this match.

Karan KC top Nepal run scorer @ 50/1

Karan KC is known as Nepal’s star pace bowler but he is also handy with the bat and looks overpriced to be their top run scorer in this game.

He famously made 42 off 31 at number ten against Canada in 2018, a result that helped Nepal secure ODI status.

He operates at a 151.21 strike rate and has a respectable 16.07 average with the bat in this format.

If the Nepalese top order struggles, KC could be tasked with trying to redeem something from the innings and he has had some decent recent knocks.

The 32-year-old has knocks of 17, 5 not out, and 28 in his last three innings and has smashed 36 sixes in 39 innings in T20I cricket.

He could be overpriced to be his team’s top batter here.

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