Match Overview

The 2nd T20I of the series features Gibraltar facing Serbia, both of them trying to make a claim as to further strengthen their international T20 credentials. Being 1-0 up, Serbia has the edge here and Gibraltar would look to level the series playing at home, at Europa Sports Complex. It is a match which starts at lights and both the batsmen and bowlers will find conditions quite equal. However, Serbia’s current form is better which might give them an upper hand to take the series.

Match Detail

• Time: 9:30 PM (local time)
• Venue: Europa Sports Complex, Gibraltar

Pitch Report

The Europa Sports Complex in Florida offered a mediate pitch. Traditionally, it has favoured both the batsman and the bowler, with the bowler getting swing upfront and the batsman finding it simple to make position shots later on. The spinners play a vital role in the middle over.

Team A (Gibraltar) Analysis

• Key Players: Chris Delaney, Louis Bruce, Balaji Pai
• Probable Playing XI: Chris Delaney (C), Louis Bruce, Balaji Pai, Charles Harrison, Dan Guest (WK), Adam Orfila, Andrew Reyes, Nikhil Advani, Marcus Harvey, James Jarvis, Luke Collado.

Team B (Serbia) Analysis

• Key Players: Slobodan Tošic, Leslie Dunbar, Vukasin Zimonjic
• Probable Playing XI: Slobodan Tošic (C), Leslie Dunbar (WK), Vukasin Zimonjic, Mark Pavlovic, Wintley Burton, Bogdan Dugic, Ayo Mene-Ejegi, Aleksa Djorovic, Matt Dodds, Nicholas Johns-Wickberg, Stefan Zimonjic.

Dream11 Pick

• Batsmen: Chris Delaney, Vukasin Zimonjic
• Bowlers: Balaji Pai, Nicholas Johns-Wickberg
• All-rounders: Slobodan Tošic, Wintley Burton
• Wicketkeeper: Leslie Dunbar

Public Opinion

It seems like public opinion is on the side of Serbia, following their amazing performance in the first T20I. The fans believe that Serbia’s disciplined bowling and balanced lineup make them favourites for the 2nd T20I. However, Gibraltar fans have also shown their confidence, as they will be playing at home ground, so they will have a little bit of advantage. The die-hard fans are also backing the players such as Chris Delaney and Balaji Pai, as they believe these players are capable of playing a match-winning innings. Serbia might have gained traction when it comes to public opinion but Gibraltar can also not be considered as the underdogs.

SWOT Analysis

Gibraltar

• Strengths: All-for-doers such as Balaji Pai – in domestic conditions, the majority of local cricketers are good not only in the key part of cricket that they are responsible for but in the secondary part as well.
• Weaknesses: Let off and not punished for ten, lack of game depth which was quite destructive in the past, lack of advancement in batting until at least reaching amateur cricket level.
• Opportunities: Home stadium and home fans can make them come back and level the series.
• Threats: Serbian top-order and decent medium-pace attack will benefit from local weaknesses, and Gibraltar will struggle to post a tough total.

Serbia

• Strengths: Serbia’s bowling has been excellent especially when defending modest targets. They have also been batting well right from the top order to the end.
• Weaknesses: Inexperience in a tight situation will mean that once the game is carried into the latter stages, the Croatian side will expose the Serbians.
• Opportunities: The Serbians can capitalize on their tight first three ODI series wins to wrap the series up
• Threats: There may be over-reliance on Slobodan and Leslie resulting from the fact that the Croatians will be targeting the two players.

Prediction

In the 2nd T20I, Serbia seems to be favourite as they have been in very good form lately and bowled quite parlously. They have a very good bowling attack, a balanced side. However, the local conditions may help Gibraltar to give a tight fight and go the distance. Even the outcome will depend on whether Serbia can keep the opponents’ batsmen in stern check. Several key players from Gibraltar such as Chris Delaney and Balaji Pai may put Serbia on the back foot and make a strong comeback. Serbia appears to have an edge over Gibraltar though one cannot firmly predict the outcome of the match.