Struggling Lankans take on UAE

A downtrodden Sri Lankan side will take on lightweights UAE in their second group-stage match in the Twenty20 World Cup at the GMHBA Stadium in Geelong today while a spirited Namibia will look to win their second game in a row against the Netherlands on the same day.

Sri Lanka suffered a shock 55-run defeat to associate nation Namibia on the opening day but the Lankans can take confidence from their triumphant Asia Cup campaign in September, when they lost their first match to Afghanistan but regrouped from that point to win five matches on the trot, including the final.

With Namibia and the Netherlands winning their opening matches, qualification for Sri Lanka has become trickier.

In order to keep hopes their of qualification alive, the Lankans not only have to win their next two matches, they also have to rely on other results going their way due to the net run rate factor. There is also always a chance of games being washed out in Australia.

The UAE, fresh off a tight defeat in a low-scoring thriller against the Dutch, might just offer the salve the Asian champions need to kickstart their World Cup campaign.

The two sides met just once prior, in the 2016 Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka won by 14 runs.

On the opening day on Sunday, Dasun Shanaka's men had Namibia on the ropes at 93 runs for six but a lacklustre bowling effort at the death saw their target balloon to 164.

Following that shift in momentum, the Lankan batters faltered against the Namibian bowlers, particularly when facing pace, and could only manage 108.

On the other hand, a flying Namibia will set their sights on trumping a relatively familiar side in Netherlands as they look to solidify qualification to the Super 12. The Dutch have momentum on their side following a narrow three-wicket victory over the UAE and will look to push Namibia.