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Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are set to lock horns in Match No.1 of Asia Cup 2022 on Saturday (today), August 27 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The two teams met only once back in 2016 during the T20 World Cup 2016, where Tilakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 83 took the Sri Lankans to a six-wicket victory with seven balls left.
But as far as the Asia Cup is concerned, Afghanistan have better memories than their opponents. Back in 2018 when the tournament took place in the 50-over format, the Afghans beat Sri Lanka by 91 runs after bowling the opposition out for 158.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi picked up two wickets apiece back then. All three spinners are in the present Afghanistan squad and the Sri Lankan batters need to blend caution with aggression while facing them.
This time around, Nabi and Co also have left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad, who picked up a four-wicket haul on his T20I debut. Noor has also played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Big Bash League (BBL).
Head to Head
Overall
Played – 1, Afghanistan – 0, Sri Lanka – 1, Tied – 0
At neutral venues
Played – 1, Afghanistan – 0, Sri Lanka – 1, Tied – 0
Predicted Playing XIs:
Sri Lanka
Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando
Afghanistan
Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran/Usman Ghani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (C), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad/Karim Janat, Fazalhaq Farooqi
