JAF vs GAL Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match? LPL 2020, Match 2

After loads of speculations, the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League got underway on Thursday, November 26 with the match between Colombo Kings and Kandy Tuskers. In the second match of the T20 tournament, Jaffna Stallions and the Galle Gladiators would be locking horns on Friday, November 27 at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Stadium in Hambantota.

The Gladiators were faced with mini trouble after it was known that Shahid Afridi, their skipper, missed his flight. However, on November 24, he took the flight, but he might not play the first game due to the quarantine protocols.

The Gladiators won’t be having Lasith Malinga, who earlier pulled out of the tournament. The Stallions, on the other hand, have a star-studded lineup in their ranks.

Pitch and Conditions

The venue in Hambantota hosted a few ODIs in recent times. But as far as the T20 format is concerned, not a single has been played here since the year 2013.

Hence, teams would be better of fielding first and seeing how the pitch behaves before coming out to chase the target. There are chances of rain at 6 PM, but the skies are expected to clear by the time the match gets underway.

Playing Combinations for JAF vs GAL

Jaffna Stallions

Avishka Fernando, Johnson Charles, Shoaib Malik, Minod Bhanuka, Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Suranga Lakmal, Usman Shinwari, Kyle Abbott/Duanne Olivier

Bench– Nuwaindu Fernando, Theivendiram Dinoshan, Kyle Abbott/Duanne Olivier, Tom Moores, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Kanagarathinam Kabilraj, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Prabath Jayasuriya

Galle Gladiators

Hazratullah Zazai, Danushka Gunathilaka, Ahsan Ali, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Chadwick Walton, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milinda Siriwardana, Mohammad Amir, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Thushara

Bench– Chanaka Ruwansiri, Sahan Arachchige, Shahid Afridi, Azam Khan, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Duvindu Tilakaratne, Waqas Maqsood

Probable Top Performers for COL vs KAN

Avishka Fernando– Jaffna Stallions

Avishka Fernando has come up the ranks over the last 16 months or so. The right-hander has flourished in the limited-overs formats and also did well for the Lankans in the 2019 World Cup. The youngster doesn’t mind throwing caution to the wind.

If he gets going, he will be hard to stop. The Gladiators have a power-packed bowling unit and they will be looking to get the opener at the earliest.

Mohammad Amir– Galle Gladiators

Mohammad Amir hasn’t been included for the tour of New Zealand and the Gladiators will be looking to make optimum utilisation of his services. The left-arm pacer is a genuine wicket-taker and can ruffle a lot of feathers.

The speedster will mostly be in charge in the powerplay and death overs. It will be interesting to see how the Stallions’ batters face him and strategise against the pacer.

Average first innings score: 151 (7 T20I matches)

Record of chasing teams: Won- 2 | Lost- 4 | Tie- 1

Broadcast Details

Match timings – 08:00 PM local time, 08:00 PM IST

TV – Sony SIX

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

The prediction is for Galle Gladiators to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.