The biggest game of Asia Cup 2022 might take place on Sunday when the two bitter cricketing rivals of the subcontinent, India and Pakistan, lock horns with each other, but the tournament will get underway a day before on Saturday itself, with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan taking each other on in a group A clash.
Afghanistan has developed into quite a strong T20I unit in the last few years, while Sri Lanka went downhill before starting to progress a little bit again in the recent times. Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan is quite an evenly matched contest on paper, although the two teams have got differently skilled players.
While the bowling attacks of both the teams are spin heavy, Afghanistan has got a bit more skill and variety in their pace attack. Sri Lanka had to deal with a heavy blow just ahead of the tournament as their first choice fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out because of injury. Chameera had IPL experience and was capable of bowling in all phases of the innings.
📸 Sri Lanka Team led by Dasun Shanaka left the island for UAE to take part in the Men's #AsiaCup2022.🛫#roaringforglory pic.twitter.com/gg0PttVEyS
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) August 24, 2022
Pitch report for Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan game in Asia Cup 2022
The pitch at Dubai International cricket stadium might have a green tinge to it tomorrow, as a little bit of grass might have been left to bind the surface together for the course of the tournament. If the green tinge is there, the ball might jag around a little bit and it might be two paced as well. Team batting second might be at advantage, as the dew factor might help them later on.
Probable XI of both teams
Sri Lanka
Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Chamira Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando
Afghanistan
Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
#AfghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/YMvqgfLGuH
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 21, 2022
Final prediction for opening game of Asia Cup 2022
The final prediction for the first game is that Sri Lanka will beat Afghanistan by a close margin and will add two points to their tally.
