SL Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Asia Cup 2022, Super Four, Match 1 (B1 vs B2)

SL Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Asia Cup 2022, Super Four, Match 1 (B1 vs B2). Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will lock horns in the opening game of the Super 4 stage of the 2022 Asia Cup to be played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday, 3rd September 2022. Afghanistan has played excellent cricket and registered back-to-back victories in the competition. Skipper Mohammad Nabi will be hoping that the side can continue its winning streak in this fixture.

On the other hand, the Islanders managed to qualify for the Super 4 stages of the competition after pulling off a heist over Bangladesh. Skipper Dasun Shanaka will be hoping that the side can produce their best cricket in this all-important clash. Afghanistan won both their games in Group B featuring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The Sri Lankan team management will be hoping that Sri Lanka can raise their overall game in this fixture. In the batting department, the side will be depending on the likes of Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Captain Dasun Shanaka, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa to deliver the bulk of the runs and help Sri Lanka post a modest total on the board.

In the previous match against Bangladesh, Kusal Mendis played well and finished the innings with the top score of 60 runs off 37 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes. He was well supported by Captain Dasun Shanaka, who chipped in with a solid 45 runs off 33 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madhushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, and Wanindu Hasaranga to provide timely breakthroughs. In the previous match, pacer Chamika Karunaratne bowled well and claimed 2 for 32 in his four overs.

India, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka have already qualified for the Super Four stage. Asia Cup got underway on the weekend with Afghanistan beating Sri Lanka on 27 August. The Afghans won by 8 wickets in the tournament opener. Afghanistan added a second win by beating Bangladesh in the third match of the T20I competition. In so doing, Afghanistan had qualified for the Super 4 stage.

Sri Lanka’s 184/8 against Bangladesh is the highest-ever run chase in T20 internationals in UAE. Sri Lanka, who won by 2 wickets, thus join India and Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2022 Super 4.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh: 183/7 in 20 overs (Atif Hossain 39, Mehdiy Hasan Miraz 38; Chamika Karunaratne 2/32). Sri Lanka: 184/8 in 19.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 60, Dasun Shanaka 45, Ebadat Hossain 3/51).

A thrilling all-around performance saw Afghanistan crush Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the first game of the 2022 Asia Cup, where the entire Sri Lankan team folded after scoring only 105 and the Afghans chased it down in only 10.1 overs.

SL Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Asia Cup 2022, Super Four, Match 1 (B1 vs B2)

Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis is arguably the most talented batter in the Sri Lankan playing XI and will be crucial for their chances in the Asia Cup 2022. The 27-year-old elegant batter is a vital cog in the Sri Lanka batting lineup. He has scored 743 runs in 37 T20I innings averaging 20.64 with 7 fifties.

He scored only 2 off 4 balls against Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2022 opening fixture before being the 1st wicket to fall after being a victim of MOM Fazalhaq Farooqi. He scored a vital 60 off 37 balls against Bangladesh to see Sri Lanka scrape through to the Super 4 in their last Asia Cup 2022 group game.