🏏Asia Cup 🏆2022: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan🏏

Team Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will face each other in the first match of the Asia Cup 2022 slated to be played today at the Dubai International Stadium.

Team Sri Lanka is coming into the competition after being involved in a local T20 tournament organized by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

On the other hand, Afghanistan are coming into the tournament after losing a T20I series against Ireland.

The visitors managed to level the series in the fourth fixture but suffered a defeat in the final encounter against the Irish team.

Meanwhile, both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be looking to have a perfect start in the tournament.

Both the teams are coming off series defeats and clearly have work to do. This tournament serves as their final preparation before the big one in Australia, so they will be tasked with fine-tuning their combinations, albeit in conditions that couldn't be more different than Australia.

But it is what it is -- be it for Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Asia Cup organizers or the audiences. How Sri Lanka dissociate the turmoil back home from their cricket, and how Afghanistan stand up with the big boys of the local club, could define how less predictable this edition of Asia Cup is going to be.

Pitch Report

The wicket at Dubai International Stadium is expected to be good for batting with the ball coming nicely onto the bat. The bowlers can also get some assistance with the new ball and try to scalp a few wickets during the field restrictions. The skipper winning the toss might want to have a bowl first.

Weather Report

So how similar is Dubai to Colombo? Turns out, it's only 14 degrees hotter at the time... so not very much!!

But the weather isn't only why Sri Lanka will be ill at ease come Saturday. They are, after all, a part of this peculiar start to Asia Cup, where they are the "hosts" but will be up against a team that's played 25 more games than them on these shores. In Dubai alone, the venue for this opening fixture, Afghanistan have played thrice the number of T20Is that Sri Lanka have. Meanwhile, the UAE, the real hosts on the map, will have their players watching the tournament on television, having failed to qualify at the last mile.

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Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka:

Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.

Afghanistan:

Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad.

Probable best batter of the match:

Pathum Nissanka:

Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka has smashed 628 runs in just 23 T20Is. The right-handed batter has also scored five fifties with his highest being 75. Nissanka is a technically sound batter and looks comfortable against both spin and pace. He is expected to play a crucial role for his team in the first encounter.

Probable best bowler of the match:

Naveen-ul-Haq:

Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq might play an important role in his team’s success against Sri Lanka. The right-arm pacer can swing the new ball and his slower ball variations can come in handy during the death overs. He is one of the bowlers to watch out for in the first encounter.

Originally posted by: la_Reine

Afghan Jalebi😎

Go Afghanistan! 🥳

best team win the match

all the best

Today’s Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match.

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. Afghanistan will be appearing in their milestone 100th T20 international match.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen Ul Haq, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad to provide crucial breakthroughs. Fazalhaq Farooqi got injured during the Ireland series and might be a doubtful starter for the game. If Fazalhaq Farooqi isn’t fit, both Azmatullah Omarzai and Farid Ahmad Malik will play in the XI.

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 Sri Lankan team can deliver the goods with bat and ball in the opening Asia Cup 2022 clash.

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

In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, and Pathum Nissanka to deliver the bulk of the runs and help the Islanders post a competitive score on the board in the Asia Cup 2022 opener.

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

Dilshan Madhushanaka is a very good new ball bowler and is likely to fill the void of Dushmantha Chameera who is ruled out of the tournament. Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara will be fighting for a spot in the playing 11 for the 2nd seamer spot in Asia Cup 2022 opener.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Today’s Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match.

Last WC ki tarah yahaan bhi kya toss jeeto , bowling lo aur match jeeto waala scene hai kya😕