🏏Asia Cup 🏆2022: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan🏏 - Page 2

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

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.

Rahul aur Kohli Sri Lanka shift ho gaye😲

Thanks for the tag! May the best team win.

Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bowl

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi(c), Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Dasun Shanaka: We would have bowled first as well. Six batters, two all-ronders and three genuine bowlers. We've got two new faces - Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana are making their debuts.

Mohammad Nabi: We want to bowl first here. It's a fresh wicket, there's cricket after a long time in Dubai. We have plenty of all-rounders.

Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to field

Pitch Report | Scott Styris and Wasim Akram: There's quite a bit of grass here. It will definitely seam around. It might grip a bit, but it'll be straight bowling from the spinners. This has been a great cricket ground in general. Terrific surface for batting and bowling, there should be a lot of runs.

There is a lot of T20 experience in the batting department for the Lankans. Even the spin department is sorted with Wanindu Hasaranga being their X-factor.

The Afghanistan team are in a huddle. Final inputs from captain Nabi before they disperse. In walk the Lankan openers and they are greeted with a cheer from their fans.

The players and match officials march out for the national anthems. Afghanistan's first, followed by Sri Lanka's. The pre-match ritual is completed.

Wanindu Hasaranga: I try to do my best for the team. Not much pressure really, I am not going to take any pressure. We have a young team, but the fast bowlers are good. We have a World Cup after this tournament. This is a very good opportunity for our young players to perform and show their skills to the selectors.

Rashid Khan: Amazing journey (Afghanistan's 100th T20I) so far. It's a great achievement for us. This is a format we are famous for. We have done so well in the last few years. Happy and hopefully it keeps continuing. There are a few areas we have to work on and there are areas we are struggling for few years. Our batting department - we can be much better. This Asia Cup and World Cup is a great opportunity for us to get the experience. We learn from our mistakes and we get better. In our fast bowling, we were struggling before. Now we've got some good fast bowlers. The more we play, the more we got better. We all know how good he (Hasaranga) is. He has been amazing for Sri Lanka, all around the world and in IPL as well. It'll be a great contest. As a team, we go and enjoy our skills, enjoy the competition and enjoy the tough times.

when its starting...

today me too joining

started

Afghanistan chose to field.

SL 3/1

wow

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mendis, OUT

Fullish on middle and leg stump. Bit of swing into the leg stump. Tries to flick behind square, but misses. Hits the back pad. LBW appeal turned down But Afghanistan review. Ball tracking says the umpire got it wrong. Pitching on leg, hitting leg stump too. Afghanistan strike in the first over!

Kusal Mendis lbw b Fazalhaq Farooqi 2 (4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

SL 3/2 (1)

CRR: 3

Afghanistan opt to bowl

🤪 what a surprise!