Nov 30: Kandy Tuskers vs Galle Gladiators, Hambantota

Pro Tip: The pitch still looks really good for batting, so pack your team with top-order hitters. Having watched the first game, we would suggest some slight tweaks, like bringing in a spinner instead of a pacer if there is enough purchase for spinners in this afternoon game.

Our XI: Kusal Perera, Azam Khan, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shehan Jayasuriya, Asela Gunaratne, Shahid Afridi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Nuwan Pradeep

Substitutes: Hazratullah Zazai, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dilruwan Perera

Player availability: Dale Steyn was expected to be available after the first two games for the Kandy Tuskers, but there has been no official confirmation yet. We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates, so please finalise your team after the toss.

Captain: Kusal Perera

When it comes to captaincy choices for the Kandy Tuskers, there is no need to look beyond Perera. He looks in absolute red-hot form, having scored 91 runs in two innings so far. In 2020, he has batted in six T20s and has scored 213 runs at a strike rate of 148.95.

Vice-captain: Danushka Gunathilaka

Since 2019, Gunathilaka has played only 11 T20 innings, and has scored 258 runs in them. He was very impressive in his two knocks of 38 and 30 in LPL 2020, and opening the batting gives him the cushion to score big runs. He is handy with the ball too, having picked up 30 wickets in 41 T20 innings.

Hot Picks

Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Just 19, Gurbaz has already played 38 T20s and has scored 983 runs at an average of 26.56 and a strike rate of 157.53 in them. He has started well here too, with 53 and 30 so far. In the 40 balls he has faced in this tournament, he has hit 15 boundaries (ten fours and five sixes).

Shahid Afridi: Afridi has started the tournament in typical style, scoring 70 from 29 balls, which included six sixes, in two innings. He is yet to pick a wicket, but has bowled economically, conceding just 20 runs in his four overs in the first game. His T20 career batting strike rate (154.48) and bowling strike rate (19.9) are amazing for a player who has played 321 games.

Naveen-ul-Haq: The 21-year-old quick is the joint-highest wicket taker with four strikes at this stage. In a tournament where bowlers are finding it a bit difficult, Naveen has bowled really well so far. He has taken 51 wickets in 47 T20 games overall.

Differential Picks

Shehan Jayasuriya: Jayasuriya topped the run-scorers' list in the last Sri Lankan domestic T20 competition with 385 runs in eight games at an average of 48.13 and a strike rate of 157.14. He also picked up six wickets in the tournament.

Azam Khan: In his short T20 career, Khan has hit 27 sixes in 23 games and scores at a strike rate of 148.38. His wicketkeeping has been on point so far and he can get you some points for his work there too.

Alternate Scenarios

• Hazratullah Zazai in a possible replacement for Azam Khan depending on the playing XI

• Dilruwan Perera can replace one of Mohammad Amir or Nuwan Pradeep