Sri Lanka vs South Africa: 1st T20I, September 10, 2021

Match Predictions and Betting Odds

The three-match ODI series is done and dusted and now, the caravan moves to the three-match T20I rubber. Sri Lanka and South Africa are squaring off in a T20I game after almost two and a half years (last T20I between these two sides was back in early 2019).

Since the start of 2020, both teams have a win-loss ratio of less than 1. South Africa have won 10 and lost 14 since January 2020. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s record is worse. They have a mere three wins and 10 losses from 14 T20I encounters (one washout) in the aforementioned period.

However, Sri Lanka will want to take confidence from the last couple of months where they have had the results go their way. They beat India 2-1 in a three-match T20I series. That win would’ve bolstered Sri Lanka’s confidence. They recently beat South Africa in the three-match ODI series which was their first fifty-over series win in over a year and a half.

South Africa’s form hasn’t been up to the mark. They have blown hot and cold consistently over the last couple of years. The Proteas may have won their last couple of T20I series (against West Indies and Ireland, both away from home) but they lost five in a row prior to that. Temba Bavuma and co will be looking to iron out the issues and build some good momentum.

Both teams will have one eye on the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. With the return of the big stars, South Africa become favourites at the start of this first T20I. They have the winning odds of 1.68 while Sri Lanka’s winning odds are placed at 2.04.

The head-to-head record in T20Is between Sri Lanka and South Africa is in the favour of the latter. South Africa have won eight encounters while Sri Lanka have ended up with five wins from 13 games.