Cricket Prediction | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan | 1st T20I | Feb 17 – Will the visitors make a change after losing two consecutive series?

SL vs AFG Match Analysis

At Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Saturday, the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series between Afghanistan and host Sri Lanka will take place.

Being a formidable team in white-ball cricket, the hosts Sri Lanka will start the series as clear favorites over Afghanistan. In this three-match T20I series, newly chosen captain Wanindu Hasaranga will be hopeful that the team can control the proceedings.

Afghanistan will go into the next Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka with little confidence, having just lost an ODI series to a whitewash. In this three-match T20I series, captain Ibrahim Zadran will be aiming for a turnaround in his fortunes.

SL vs AFG Team Preview & Squads

Sri Lanka

For the first match of the T20I series, which will be played at Dambulla, the home team is anticipated to field a complete squad. The hosts will be depending on players like Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, wicketkeeper-batter Sadeera Samarawickrama, explosive Kusal Perera, skipper Kusal Mendis, and Pathum Nissanka to produce most of the runs in the batting department.

Charith Asalanka is the best scorer for Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 Format, having amassed 179 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 140.94. In terms of bowling, it will be up to pacers Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara, as well as the spin combo of Mahesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, to make significant strides.

Sri Lanka Squads

Sri Lanka

Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dilshan Madushanka/ Matheesha Pathirana, Kamindu Mendis, Nuwan Thushara, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Perera, and Mahesh Theekshana

Afghanistan

In these three T20I matches, the team management would be expecting a better batting performance from the team. Most of the runs will be scored by the team’s batting lineup, which includes captain Ibrahim Zadran, wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, left-hander Najibullah Zadran, and the all-rounders Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Gulbadin Naib.

It will be up to bowlers like Mohammad Nabi, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, and Fareed Ahmad Malik to make timely breakthroughs.

Afghanistan Squads

Afghanistan

Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Naveen Ul Haq, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Najibullah Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi

SL vs AFG outfield report

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla

The objectives for both sides will be to win the toss, bowl first, and limit the opposition to less than 165 runs. A clear sky and a light breeze are predicted for the game’s weather. An intriguing match between bat and ball will take place on the track set up for the diamonds at Dambulla. At this location, the first innings score typically ranges from 130 to 140 runs.

SL vs AFG Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In the five times that these teams have faced off in T20 cricket history, the Islanders enjoy a slim advantage with three wins to Afghanistan’s two.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Prediction

Winning the toss

• Sri Lanka

Player of the Match

• Sri Lanka – Charith Asalanka

Most runs

• Sri Lanka – Charith Asalanka
• Afghanistan – Mohammad Nabi

Most wickets

• Sri Lanka – Dilshan Madushanka
• Afghanistan – Fazalhaq Farooqi

Most sixes

• Sri Lanka – Charith Asalanka
• Afghanistan – Mohammad Nabi

Team Scores Batting First

• Sri Lanka – 140+
• Afghanistan – 130+

According to cricket analysts, Sri Lanka has a 51% chance of winning.

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