Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 1st Match, Group B: Pitch Report, Probable XI & Match Prediction

The opening match of Asia Cup 2022 will be played between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan at t🅷he Dubai International Stadium on August 27 (Saturday).

The Islanders last played a T20I against Australia at home in June, where they lost the series 1-2. Similarly, Afghanistan were involved in a T20I series against Ireland, losing 2-3.

Both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be looking to start the tournament in a positive manner. The two sides are part of Group B in the competition alongside Bangladesh. The top two teams from this group will progress to the next round 𓂃of the multi🐻-team event.

Pitch report:

The track at Dubai tends to get better as the 🌳game progresses. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, 12 out of the 13 games at this venue were won while chasing, therefore, b⛎atting second is an ideal choice for captains after winning the toss.

Probable XI:

Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka (wk), Bhanꦛuk💛a Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Usman G🐻hani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Nabi (c), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad

Match Prediction:

Case 1:

• Sri Lanka wins the toss and bowls first
• Powerplay score: 35-40
• Afghanistan total: 140-150

Case 2:

• Afghanistan wins the toss and bowls first
• Powerplay score: 40-45
• Sri Lanka total: 145-155

Team batting second to win the contest.