Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

SL vs AFG Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11: Asia Cup 2022 Match 1 | AFG vs SL Dream11 Prediction Today | Dubai Pitch Report

The highly anticipated 2022 Asia Cup is here. The very best the continent has to offer, barring injuries, will be seeking to hit their best form not only as T20 World Cup preparation, but the chance to be crowned Asia’s best.

Before India and Pakistan do battle on Sunday, there is a crucial match to kick off the tournament. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are in what looks a very competitive Group B along with Bangladesh. The team who loses this clash will see their Super 4 hopes take a hit, while victory increases confidence and just about puts one foot in the next stage.

There is a lot to look forward to in this clash. Sri Lanka are ever improving in white-ball cricket, pushing Australia close in the T20Is at home earlier this year (2-1 defeat) before winning the ODIs. Afghanistan suffered a series loss in Ireland recently, but whether that result spurs them on or impacts their confidence remains to be seen.

SL vs AFG Possible Playing XI

Dushmantha Chameera is unavailable due to injury. So, ‘baby Malinga’ Matheesha Pathirana could play.

Sri Lanka will be best served playing Kusal Mendis as opener. He averages 34.38 with a strike rate of 138.39 when opening compared to an average of 11.24 and strike rate of 98.75 when not.

Sri Lanka: 1. Kusal Mendis (wk), 2. Pathum Nissanka, 3. Charith Asalanka, 4. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 5. Dhananjaya de Silva, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Chamika Karunaratne, 9. Maheesh Theekshana, 10. Praveen Jayawickrama, 11. Matheesha Pathirana

One key question for Afghanistan is the all-rounder position. Azmatullah Omarzai was preferred in the recent series in Ireland, but Karim Janat is an option. So too 34-year old Samiullah Shinwari, who is a leg-spinning option.

Afghanistan: 1. Hazratullah Zazai, 2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3. Ibrahim Zadran, 4. Najibullah Zadran, 5. Mohammad Nabi (c), 6. Usman Ghani, 7. Azmatullah Omarzai/Samiullah Shinwari, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Naveen-ul-Haq, 10. Mujeeb ur Rahman, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

• Charith Asalanka was one of the standout performers in the 2021 T20 World Cup in UAE. The left-hander struck 231 runs in six matches at an average of 46.20 and strike rate of 147.13.
• Pathum Nissanka scored three half-centuries in eight matches at last year’s World Cup in the UAE.
• Dhananjaya de Silva is one to watch with bat and ball. The off-spinner may be utilised early and against Afghanistan’s left-handers. With the bat against legspin in T20Is, he has scored 117 runs in 109 balls, with five dismissals.
• Wanindu Hasaranga is a very strong contender for top wicket-taker in this tournament. He will be particularly dangerous against right-handers. He has taken 51 wickets in 36 T20Is against RHB at an average of 11.9 and strike rate of 11.4.
• Maheesh Theekshana has taken 24 wickets in 21 T20s at an economy rate of just 6.88. Ten of those have come in the powerplay, where he is conceding just 6.91 runs per over.

Afghanistan:

• Najibullah Zadran is the form batsman. He recently hit 125 runs vs Ireland at a superb strike rate of 164.47. In the Shpageeza League before Ireland, he smashed 397 runs at an average of 56.71 and strike rate of 163.37.
• Also, Najibullah was Afghanistan’s top scorer in the 2021 World Cup in UAE: 5 inns, 172 runs, avg. 34.40, SR 135.43, 2 50s.
• Ibrahim Zadran in T20s in 2022: 14 inns, 409 runs, avg. 40.90, SR 147.12.
• Mohammad Nabi in T20s at Dubai: 19 matches, 269 runs, avg. 33.63, SR 131.86; 20 wickets, avg. 23.15, econ. 7.20.
• Rashid Khan will be crucial for Afghanistan. Charith Asalanka has been dismissed four times in 49 balls by legspin in T20Is (54 runs), so expect Afghanistan to exploit this head-to-head battle.
• Also, Pathum Nissanka has scored 40 off 36 vs legspin, with two dismissals.
• Naveen-ul-Haq took the second-most wickets in the Vitality Blast earlier this year (24 wickets in 14 matches). He also took seven wickets in five T20Is in Ireland recently at a strike rate of 11.8.

Other Stats and Facts

• This will be just the second T20I between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka won by six wickets in the 2016 World Cup.
• Bhanuka Rajapaksa is the kind of player who can take the game away. He is striking at 140.09 in 16 T20s this year, but is averaging just 18.56.
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz is striking at 160.93 in 24 T20s this year (626 runs, avg. 29.81).
• Dasun Shanaka hit a memorable 54* off 25 balls in Sri Lanka’s last T20I, against Australia in June.
• 53.57% of Mujeeb ur Rahman’s total T20 wickets have come when bowling second. Overall in the UAE, Mujeeb has taken 21 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.62.

Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

Hot, hot, hot. The top temperature will cross 40 degrees during the day in Dubai, with conditions set to be steamy under lights for this night match.

In terms of the pitch, expect the captain who wins the toss to choose to bowl on a ground that typically favours chasing. In 26 T20s on this ground last year (IPL and T20 WC), the average first innings score was 143.31. The chasing team won an incredible 21 of these matches.

There shouldn’t be too much turn given this is the first match, but a slow wicket brings the very skilled spinners into play. So too cutters from the seamers.

ALSO READ: 4 predictions for Asia Cup 2022

Asia Cup 2022 Match 1: SL vs AFG Dream11 Prediction 27 August 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

• Wicket-Keepers: Kusal Mendis
• Batsmen: Najibullah Zadran, Charith Asalanka
• All-Rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Wanindu Hasaranga
• Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Maheesh Theekshana

Asia Cup 2022 Match 1 SL vs AFG Match Prediction: Who will win?

This promises to be a closely fought contest. Sri Lanka, with their experience, start as favourites. But, this one could come down to which team chases. The team batting first will need 160+ to feel safe, you would think.