B-Love Kandy vs Dambulla Sixers, LPL 2023, Today Match Prediction 04 August 2023

KAF vs DAS Match Prediction & Analysis

B-Love Kandy haven’t made the best of starts to their Lanka Premier League 2023 campaign. Their first two matches—against Colombo Strikers and Galle Titans—have ended in heavy defeats, which have taken them right to the bottom of the table. Kandy’s next game is against Dambulla Aura, who are in second place with one win and one loss. The match will take place at Pallekele this Friday.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

KAF

L L

GLT

180/5 in 20.0 9

LPL 2023

Galle Titans beat B-Love Kandy by 83 runs 01 Aug 2023

KAF

97/10 in 17.1 5.65

KAF

130/8 in 20.0 6.5

LPL 2023

Colombo Strikers won by 27 runs 31 Jul 2023

CLS

157/6 in 20.0 7.85

DAS

W L

DAS

132/2 in 16.2 8.08

LPL 2023

Dambulla Aura won by 8 wkts 01 Aug 2023

JKS

129/7 in 20.0 6.45

GLT

180/5 in 20.0 9

LPL 2023

Match tied (Galle Titans won the Super Over) 31 Jul 2023

DAS

9/1 in 1.0 9

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

B-Love Kandy Preview

B-Love Kandy started their season with a clash against Colombo Strikers, which they lost by 27 runs. Their next game was against the Galle Titans, who defeated them by an 83-run margin. In that match, Kandy was shot out for just 97 while chasing a target of 181 runs. 

In both matches they have lost, Kandy’s batting performance has been below par. So far, Ashen Bandara’s 27 off 19 balls against Galle Titans is the highest individual score by a batter from Kandy this season.

The experienced Angelo Mathews will be vital for Kandy’s chances going forward. He has scored over 3000 runs in T20s across different leagues, and we are backing him to make an impactful score in this game.

Asif Ali failed in the last match, but the hard-hitting Pakistani batter has proven himself to be a terrific finisher in recent years. Kandy would be better off utilizing him at the No. 6 position, as that will give him a few more balls to make an impact.

Kandy’s has plenty of great options for bowling. Mujeeb Ur Rahman can be their X-factor. The off-spinner from Afghanistan can bowl in the powerplay and keep things tight. 

Isuru Udana is another one we are backing to do well in this match. In the first game against Colombo Striker, he conceded 39 runs but took three wickets as well. He’s a genuine wicket-taking option and should play this game.

B-Love Kandy Predicted Playing XI:

Ashen Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Thanuka Dabare, Angelo Mathews, Asif Ali Isuru Udana, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Hasnain, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

B-Love Kandy Actual Playing XI:

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Kamindu Mendis, Asif Ali, Isuru Udana, Ashen Bandara, Angelo Mathews, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanidu Hasaranga

Dambulla Sixers Preview

After losing their first match of the season via a Super Over to Galle Titans, Dambulla Aura made a strong comeback in their second game by taking down Jaffna Kings by 8 wickets. They first restricted Jaffna to a below par 129-7 and chased the target down in 16.2 overs. Opener Avishka Fernando set the tone of the chase with a fantastic 52 off 32 balls while Kusal Perera (34* off 22 balls) provided the finishing touches. 

Fernando now has 158 runs in his last 4 matches at an average of nearly 40. Perera, too, has started the season with a bang and has already scored 74 runs in just two games. 

Another batter who is worth keeping an eye on is Sadeera Samarawickrama (125 runs in the last 4 matches at a strike rate of 129). 

On the bowling front, Binura Fernando (7 wickets in last 3 matches at an economy of 6.75) is definitely worth keeping. He’s been excellent as the new ball bowler for Dambulla and takes top-order wickets. 

Left-arm chinaman Noor Ahmad has impressed one and all in his short career. Playing his first match of the season against Jaffna Kings, the 18-year-old spinner from Afghanistan delivered a spell of 1-27 from 4 overs. He can be a game-changer in the middle overs for the team.

Dambulla Sixers Predicted Playing XI:

Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Alex Ross, Hayden Kerr, Binura Fernando, Shahnawaz Dahani, Ravindu Fernando, Noor Ahmad

Dambulla Sixers Actual Playing XI:

Hayden Kerr, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Noor Ahmad, Binura Fernando, Kusal Perera, Shahnawaz Dahani, Ravindu Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Alex Ross

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitches in Pallekele are usually good for batting but do help the bowlers too. There is an even amount of bounce that batters enjoy. However, bowlers who know how to use their variations will get enough help from the surface. 

The weather in Pallekele during the match will be cloudy and humid, with a couple of showers.

KAF vs DAS Pitch Report

The average score batting first in Pallekele in domestic T20 games is 163. The highest total posted here is 240-4 by Jaffna Kings versus Dambulla Aura in 2022. Totals above 170 have been posted on six instances here. The team batting first should look to set a total in the range of 160-170 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Batting first has been better at Pallekele. In 17 domestic T20 games here, the team batting furst has won on 11 occasions. The team winning the toss in this match is therefore likely to bat first.