Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat in the opening match of the 15th Asia Cup held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. As a result, Sri Lanka will bat in a short while.
Sri Lanka cricket team is slightly ahead of Afghanistan in ICC ranking. The Sri Lankans are ranked eighth with 231 rating points in the rankings published by the highest governing body of cricket. On the other hand, Afghanistan is at number 10 with 216 rating points.
The two teams have faced each other only once in international cricket so far. At the start of that match in 2016, Sri Lanka scored 175 runs in 20 overs. In response, the Afghans were bowled out for just 106 runs.
Again in the history of the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka is far ahead. They have tasted the Asia Cup title second highest after India five times. And playing the final the most. On the other hand, Afghanistan has never played the final, let alone the title. But Nabi-Rashid’s recent performance is quite good. So maybe no one will be surprised if they win this match.
Afghanistan XI
Hazratullah Jazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazlehaq Farooqui.
Sri Lanka XI
Kushal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nishanka, Vanuka Rajapakse, Charith Ashalanka, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Mahish Thiksana, Mathisa Pathirana, Dilshan Madhushanka.
(27 August/MM)