SL vs AFG Match Preview
The most enthralling experience for the Asian cricketing fans is returning with the return of the Asia Cup 2022, The 15th Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format for the second time in competition history, is finally here, ending the wait. On Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, the tournament is scheduled to begin with a match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Bangladesh joins them, and the three teams make up Group B. India, Pakistan, and Hong Kong, who defeated UAE to advance to the finals, make up the other group.
In just over two weeks, a total of 13 matches—including the final—will be played across two venues in Dubai and Sharjah. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super-4.
Sri Lanka’s consistency in the Asia Cup
Speaking of championships, the Lankan Lions have won the trophy five times, making them the second-most successful team in the competition behind India. On the other hand, despite promising performances in each championship, the Afghanis have yet to claim their first victory.
The Dushmantha Chameera-led Sri Lanka team enters the competition without their top fast bowler, who is out due to injury. Dasun Shanaka. Aside from that misfortune, the Island nation has a balanced team with some top players, including opener Pathum Nissanka, powerhouse Bhanuka Rajapaksa, renowned spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, and rookie Maheesha Theekshana.
In an effort to win their first championship since 2014, they will be hoping to start their campaign on a winning note. Sri Lanka needs to be cautious of their opponents for this game, Afghanistan, who present a constant threat. Afghanistan, under the direction of Mohammad Nabi, will play their historic 100th T20 international, and they hope to make it even more memorable by winning.
In the meantime, before Sri Lanka and Afghanistan square off in the opening Asia Cup match, here are some significant statistics and figures:
Surprisingly, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have only ever faced off in T20 international matches. In the 2016 T20 World Cup match between the two teams in Kolkata, Sri Lanka defeated the Afghans by six wickets.
Personal records set to be broken
Dasun Shanaka (49), who needs one more six to reach 50 maximums in T20Is, is in need.
Charith Asalanka (47), who needs three fours to reach 50 in T20Is, needs three fours.
In T20 international matches, Najibullah Zadran (98) needs two more fours to reach 100 fours.
Pathum Nissanka (49) needs one more match to reach 50 appearances in international competitions.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (93) needs seven more fours to reach 100 across all formats.
A 100th T20 international game will be played by Afghanistan (99).
In order to overtake Tim Southee (114) and take over as the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals, Rashid Khan (112) needs to take three more victims.
Najibullah Zadran (1487) is 13 runs shy of accumulating 1500 runs in T20 Internationals.
Overall, you can say that this game will be very exciting because many players are vying for personal records and career highs. It will also be a relief for the Sri Lankans, who are going through difficult times right now because watching their team play will make them happy and allow them to temporarily forget about those difficulties.
Pitch Report
Dubai will be the site of the game. The pitch here is fairly even and offers both bowlers and batters a good amount of assistance. Because of their slow nature, spinners get good traction. The average score is 140.
Asia Cup 2022 Offers
SL vs AFG a Prime Captain team for the 2022 Asia Cup
The best batter
One of the batters you could choose is Najibullah Zadran, who costs 9.0 credits. Once at ease, the middle-order batter can score runs easily; he is currently 13 runs short of reaching 1,500 in T20 Internationals. In his last 10 games, Zadran has a batting average of 31.88 and will pose a threat to the bowlers for Sri Lanka against the AFG.
The best bowler
Rashid Khan is the clear choice for the first match of the 2022 Asia Cup as a top bowler. The 112 wickets the Afghanistan spin wizard has taken in 66 T20 Internationals reflect his reputation for single-handedly winning games for his team.
Rashid, who has 9.5 credits, can also light up the scoreboard with his bat, making him a complete package to add to your fantasy cricket team.
The best wicketkeeper and all-rounder.
We advise Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka to fill the all-rounder position. The Afghanistan batting order will be wary of the 25-year-old, who has 382 runs and 62 wickets in his T20I career to date. At 9.5 credits, Hasaranga is up for grabs.
Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka should be chosen as your starting wicketkeeper, to finish. In his 35 T20I matches, the 27-year-old has 681 runs and nine dismissals (eight caught, one stumped). Mendis, valued at 8.5 credits, is a wise financial decision.
SL vs AFG probable playing XI
SL playing XI (probable):
Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Thushara, Maheesh Theekshana, M Pathirana
AFG playing XI (probable):
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicket-keeper), Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi (captain), Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
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