Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2022, Today Match Prediction 27 August 2022

sl vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will lock horns in the opening game of the 2022 Asia Cup competition to be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Five-time Asia Cup Champions, Sri Lanka will be looking to put on a strong show in this fixture. Captain Dasun Shanaka will be hoping that the experienced can deliver the goods with bat and ball in the opening clash.

On the other hand, Afghanistan will certainly their fancy their chances of beating Sri Lanka in these conditions. With world-class spinners in their ranks and opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in their side, Afghanistan will be looking to produce their best cricket in this opening encounter.

In 2016 ICC T20 World Cup played in India, Sri Lanka registered a five-wicket win over Afghanistan.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

The Islanders will be looking to turn their fortunes in this year’s Asia Cup. Dasun Shanaka will be hoping that the side can adjust to the conditions and perform consistency in this competition.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, K Asalanka Dasun Shanaka and Pathum Nissanka to deliver the bulk of the runs and help Islanders post a competitive score on the board.

Since Jan 2021, opener Pathum Nissanka is currently leading the batting charts for Sri Lanka in the T20 format. In 11 T20Is, Nissanka has accumulated 326 runs at an average of 29.63 with two half-centuries to his name.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the pace duo of Dushmantha Chameera and Chamika Karunaratne to provide early breakthroughs with the new-ball. The spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana will be required to stem the flows of the runs and also pick up important wickets for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne.

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Maheesh Theekshana, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilshan Madushanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanidu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana

Afghanistan Preview

Mohammad Nabi-led unit will need to raise their overall game in all three departments. In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran and Captain Mohammad Nabi to do the bulk of the scoring.

Since Jan 2021, Middle-order batsman Najibullah Zadran is leading run-scorer for Afghanistan in the T20 format. Left-hander has accumulated 255 runs in 10 innings at an average of 31.87 with two half-centuries to his name.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen Ul Haq, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad to provide crucial breakthroughs

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Mohammad Nabi (captain), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Usman Ghani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen Ul Haq

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Naveen ul Haq, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared at Dubai International Cricket Stadium might be a little sluggish at the start of the match. The spinners will get some help from this surface. The weather forecast for Saturday’s match is going to be clear skies with a humidity of 38%.

Venue Details

Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai is going to host the opening game of the 15th edition of Asia Cup between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Toss: To Bowl

The toss will be a crucial one as both the teams will be keen to win it and bowl first on this surface. Majority of the matches played at this venue have been won by side batting second.