Sri Lanka will play the opening match of Asia Cup 2022 against Afghanistan on 27th August 2022 at Dubai Cricket Stadium. Both teams from Group B will be looking to kick-start their event’s campaign on victorious notes.
After getting an unprecedented rise in International Cricket, Afghanistan hasn’t been able to hold it pretty well due to an inexperienced playing squad. They have lost their last T20 series against Ireland, and their performances during that tour raise serious questions about their T20 setup.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st T20 Prediction – Asia Cup 2022
However, the Afghan side always performs well in Asian Conditions, and UAE playing conditions would help them to perform better. Apart from playing in a suitable environment, the young Afghanistan squad should work on their batting techniques. In recent games, their batting issues are evident as their main batters are not strong enough to handle pressure moments and play match-winning innings, especially when the team requires them most.
With five championship titles, Sri Lanka is the 2nd most successful team in Asia Cup. However, the team has not been able to continue the glory, as they haven’t won any Asia Cup titles since 2014. However, the Lankan side hopes to recreate the history in the current Asia Cup under the young skipper Dasun Shanaka.
In the calendar year, Team Sri Lanka struggled quite hard to display good cricket in a short format but failed badly. They have lost all the T20Is matches played this year. Nevertheless, the hopes are alive for Lanka cricket team fans as their team features Nation’s Best Cricketers for Asia Cup 2022.
The playing conditions at Dubai Stadium seem preferable for batters. The flat surface with a minor portion of moisture on a few patches of the pitch will hardly assist pacers. However, Spinners could be lethal weapons on this slow nature surface.
Furthermore, the outfield is too quick, which means any good shot in a gap will run into the boundary within seconds. According to cricket experts, batting first on this surface will be a pretty even decision from either skipper, while any score above 170 runs is easily defendable for batting first side.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st T20Team Squad – Asia Cup 2022
Unfortunately, the Lanka camp suffers a huge setback on the edge of the event as their mainstream pacer Dushmantha Chameera is out of the Asia Cup due to Calf Injury. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka has some other quality pacers, Asitha Fernando, Chamaika Karunartane, and Dasun Shanaka.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan has recalled their best playing squad for the Asia Cup. However, the real Afghan strength lies in their Spin attack as they feature World’s Best Spinner like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb.
Sri Lanka T20 Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajaspaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay
Afghanistan T20 Squad: Najibullah Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Karim Janat