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Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will face off in the first match of the Super 4 stage in the Asia Cup 2022 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday (September 3).
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka advanced through to the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2022 after securing a top two finish in Group B. They will now lock horns in the first match of Super 4 at Sharjah on Saturday.
Afghanistan were the most impressive team in the group stage as they went on to top Group B after defeating both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They obliterated the Lankan lions in the first match by eight wickets at Dubai.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was menacing with the new ball, picking 3 for 11 while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi bagged two scalps each to bowl out Sri Lanka for 105. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hammered 40 off just 18 while Hazratullah Zazai made unbeaten 37 off 28 to achieve the target in 10.1 overs.
In the second game, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets at Sharjah. Mujeeb Ur Rahman starred with the ball up front, claiming 3 for 16 in his four overs. Rashid Khan also bagged 3 for 22 as they kept the opponents to 127/7.
Chasing the target, they could not keep up with the required rate and were reduced to 62/3 in 13 overs. Ibrahim Zadran held one end with 42* off 41 but it was Najibullah Zadran who shellshocked Bangladesh. Najibullah smashed an unbeaten 43* off 17 with half a dozen sixes to finish the game by nine balls to spare.
Having lost the first game, Sri Lanka needed to beat Bangladesh in a virtual knockout to reach the Super 4 and they just about edged past in what was a highly intense thriller. Dilshan Madushanka was impressive with 1 for 26 in four overs whereas Maheesh Theekshana picked 1/23 in his quota. But the rest of the bowlers were taken to cleaners as they conceded 183/7.
The Sri Lankan openers got them off to a good start with 45 in 5.3 overs. Kusal Mendis made the most of his luck and scored 60 off 37. Dasun Shanaka then smashed 45 off 33 to take them closer. They needed 11 off 7 balls with only two wickets in hand. Asitha Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana got them over the line with 4 balls to spare, with some help from indisciplined bowling.
Key players
Najibullah Zadran has been in sensational form and has several impactful knock for Afghanistan. Some of his recent innings read 42 off 17 and 50 off 24 against Ireland, and 43* off 17 in the last game. Earlier in the domestic T20 tournament, Najibullah smashed 397 runs at an average of 57 while striking at 164.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked 2 for 24 in the first group game against Sri Lanka and followed it up with 3 for 16 versus Bangladesh. The 21yr old has a superb record in T20 internationals, having picked 43 scalps from just 30 matches at an economy of 6.13 while striking every 15.3 balls.
Dasun Shanaka has the ability to change the complexion of the game on his own and he has done it on a few occasions. He has scored 353 runs in international T20s this year at an average of 39 and strike rate of 143. Some of his knocks include 19-ball 47* and 74* off 38 against India, 54* off 28 against Australia and 33-ball 45 in the last game.
Wanindu Hasaranga was very good in the first game, picking 1/19 when the rest of the bowlers were taken apart. He picked two wickets in the last game but conceded 41 runs in four overs with some floaty bowling. The leg-spinner has an outstanding record in T20Is, picking 65 wickets in 40 matches at 6.70 rpo and 12.8 strike rate.
Prediction
Afghanistan are coming off two dominant victories while Sri Lanka just about won their last game. The form is on Afghanistan’s side.
As for the squads, Afghanistan have some good batting options in Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran and Hazratullah Zazai. Not to forget the all-round ability of Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. The bowling attack also has Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq and it looks pretty potent and in form.
Sri Lanka have concerns in their bowling department, having inconsistency and inexperience. Dilshan Madushanka showed some promise but the overall pace attack remains an issue. The batting department is highly dependent on a couple of players and can be vulnerable. Dasun Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa will have to do the bulk of the work.
Overall, Afghanistan seems to have an edge and should win this clash on Saturday.
