The final league game of the Group stage will take place between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 5th September 2023. It promises to be an exciting encounter as Afghanistan needs to win with a big margin and knock Sri Lanka out of the tournament.
Afghanistan was thrashed by Bangladesh with an 89-run margin in their opening encounter at the same venue on 3rd September 2023. They are currently in the last position with a negative run rate of – -1.780 and hope to register a dominating win. Chasing 335 runs, Ibrahim Zadran scored 75 while Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 51 but lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 245.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka registered a 5-wicket win over Bangladesh in their opening match at Palleke International Stadium, Kandy. Matheesha Pathirana was the pick of bowlers with 4 for 32 rattling the Bangladesh batting. In reply, Charith Asalanaka and Sadeera Samawickrama scored half-centuries to win the match by 5 wickets.
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka met each other on 10 occasions with Sri Lanka winning six times, Afghanistan winning three, and one ended in no result.
Match Details
Details– Asia Cup 2023, Match 6, Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
Venue– Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Date and Time– 5th September, 3.00 PM IST
Pitch Report
It is a superb batting pitch that makes stroke-making easy. The previous match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan on 3rd September was a great example of that. Najmul Hasan Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz centuries helped Bangladesh post a mammoth total of 334 for 5. In reply, Afghanistan could only manage 245 as Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi scored half-centuries for them.
It promises to be another high-scoring affair between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. The captain that wins the toss would likely bat first and post a big total.
Sri Lanka (SL) vs Afghanistan (Afg) – Predicted Playing XI
Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karaunate/Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Charith Asalanaka, Sadeera Samawickrama, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dhanajaya de Silva, Dunith Wellage, Mahesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Mahesh Pathirana.
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbdain Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed, Fazllahq Farqooi.
Fantasy Team Selection- SL vs Afg
Team 1– Rahmanullah Gurbaz (VC), Pathum Nissanka, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Charith Asalanaka, Najibullah Zadran, Dasun Shanaka (C),Gulbdain Naib, Dunith Wellage, Rashid Khan, Kasun Rajitha, Noor Ahmed.
Team 2– Kusal Perera, Ibrahim Zadran, Kusal Mendis, Rahmat Shah, Dhanaajya de Silva, Mohammad Nabi, Dunith Wellage, Rashid Khan, Maheesh Theekshana, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Maheesh Pathirana.
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