SL vs AFG – Super 4, Preview: Sri Lanka hope to topple Afghanistan
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan face off in the first match of Super 4 in the Asia Cup 2022 at Sharjah on September 3, Saturday. Afghanistan stormed into the second stage, becoming the first team to seal the Super 4 berth after two comprehensive wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the group stages.
Sri Lanka come into Super 4 on the back of a thrilling win over Bangladesh on Thursday to stay alive in the tournament. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka previously met in the competition on August 27. And after facing an emphatic loss, Sri Lanka will be raring to return favours to their opponents.
Afghanistan have had a sublime record this year in T20Is, winning eight out of their last 11 games. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have won only three out of their last 13 games. However, the Sri Lankans got the win when they most needed it on Thursday.
Pitch and conditions
Sharjah Cricket Stadium has hosted two games in the Asia Cup so far, and the pitch behaviour is likely to be more or less the same as it was on Friday for the Pakistan-Hong Kong game. The wicket is expected to dry and rough, and spinners are likely to come into the act. The weather, as it has been throughout the season, is likely to be dry without any dew. Hence, toss would not play much of a factor.
Current form (last five games):
Sri Lanka: WLWLL Afghanistan: WWLWW
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Here is the probable playing XI for SL vs AFG:
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will take a lot of confidence from their previous win over Bangladesh, and may not tinker with their team this team out. Although their bowling was a matter of concern, they do not have a lot to choose from and might stick with the same playing XI.
Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Afghanistan
Afghanistan have played an entertaining brand of cricket throughout the Asia Cup. Generally, a bowling-heavy team, Mohammad Nabi’s men have shown this time they have more balance and quality across all departments to win against top sides. They are also lavished with some of the best spinners in the world, which might work well in their favour on this surface.
Playing XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (captain), Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi
