Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, ICCWCT20 2022, Today Match Prediction 01 November 2022

afg vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

Sri Lanka crumbled in a run-chase against New Zealand in their last Super 12 match. The bowlers did a fine job to get the 2014 champions off to a good start. Though it was a tricky target given the pitch conditions and NZ bowling attack, Sri Lanka did not put up a fight. 

They were slightly better and more promising against the Aussies in their previous match. The bottom two teams in Group 1 of Super 12, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will clash at The Gabba.

Afghanistan will be eager to get some game time as their last two consecutive matches were abandoned due to rain. It looks like a tough ask for both teams to qualify for the semis from here.

Even if they win their last two games, the maximum they can have in the points tally at the end of Super 12 is 6 points. Nevertheless, both teams will be eager to put an end to their batting woes and get back to winning.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Afghanistan Preview

After a few impressive outings in the warm-up games where the batters showed promise and the bowlers delivered as expected, Afghanistan were bowled out for just 112 runs in their opening game of the T20 World Cup.

The wait has been long since then. It will be after 9 days that Afghanistan players play a match in this T20 World Cup. This is because their last two consecutive matches were abandoned due to rain.

The openers Rahamanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai are two of the most impactful players in this lineup. While Gurbaz can be relied on for a good start, it is Zazai, the big-hitting opener, whose current form is a concern for Afghanistan.

Not only has the southpaw batsman not scored many runs lately, but his strike rate is also not as expected and can hurt Afghanistan in the powerplay. In the lower middle order, Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi are two experienced batters who have the big roles of finishers. 

They can give Afghanistan a good finish and propel the team to a competitive score. The only positive for Afghanistan from their opening match of this tournament was the bowling performance. Like the opposition, Afghanistan also has a strong bowling attack with quality spin bowlers.

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Fareed Ahmad Malik, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi

Sri Lanka Preview

Shanaka will be disappointed with the way their last match unfolded. Sri Lanka were on top of the game after reducing the Blackcaps to 15 for 3 in 4 overs. 

A few good partnerships and a big hundred from Glenn Phillips saw Sri Lanka lose their grip over the match. A 168-run target was always going to be difficult given the conditions and the NZ pace attack.

The momentum had also shifted away from Sri Lanka and their top order just seemed to be all over the place. Kusal Mendis with his attempted cover drive nicking it back to the keeper was a dreadful sight for a Sri Lankan fan.

There did not seem any intent from the Sri Lankan batsmen as they fell like a house of cards. Half of the team was back in the pavilion at the start of the 7th over for just 24 runs.

Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Charith Asalanka will be key players in the Sri Lanka lineup. We reckon Bhanuka Rajapakse to be a better fit at number 3 than 5. He has shown his big-hitting skills in the IPL and can score quickly. In his last innings, he hit 3 fours and 2 sixes in his 34 off 22 balls inning. 

Dasun Shanaka will be the match-finisher for Sri Lanka in the lower order and is a reliable batsman. Watch out for Theekshana, Rajitha, and Hasaranga to make the most impact with the ball.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Lahiru Kumara, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanidu Hasaranga

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch here at Gabba offers bounce and pace for the fast bowlers. Batters will have to adjust to the bounce early on. They can enjoy playing their strokes freely given the true nature of this pitch. Rain is expected on the match day in Brisbane with a high of 23 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The average 1st innings score at The Gabba is 168 from 6 T20Is. Whereas, in the 50 domestic T20s, the average 1st innings total is 165 runs. In 23 of the 50 BBL games played at The Gabba, teams have scored more than 170 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Neither of the teams is in their best shape when it comes to batting. Teams batting first have won 4 of the 6 T20Is played at this venue. With a total of 170 or more, the team batting first will be in a strong position to win this game.