Asia Cup 2022: SL Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Match 01

Asia Cup 2022: SL Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Match 01. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will lock horns in the opening game of the Asia Cup 2022 competition to be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, 27th August at 7:30 pm IST.

Five-time Asia Cup Champions, Sri Lanka will be looking to put on a strong show in this fixture. Captain Dasun Shanaka will be hoping that the experienced Sri Lankan team can deliver the goods with bat and ball in the opening Asia Cup 2022 clash.

Sri Lanka will be looking to turn their fortunes in this year’s Asia Cup 2022. Dasun Shanaka will be hoping that the side can adjust to the conditions and perform consistently in this Asia Cup 2022.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, and Pathum Nissanka to deliver the bulk of the runs and help the Islanders post a competitive score on the board in the Asia Cup 2022 opener.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the pacer Chamika Karunaratne to provide early breakthroughs with the new ball. The spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana will be required to stem the flow of the runs and also pick up important wickets for Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2022.

Dilshan Madhushanaka is a very good new ball bowler and is likely to fill the void of Dushmantha Chameera who is ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022. Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara will be fighting for a spot in the playing 11 for the 2^nd seamer spot in Asia Cup 2022 opener.

Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka enter the competition without their premier fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, who got ruled out due to injury. Apart from that setback, the Island nation has a balanced side with some quality players like opener Pathum Nissanka, hard-hitter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, and newbie Mahesh Theekshana. They will hope to start their campaign on a winning note as they aim to clinch their first title since 2014.

Asia Cup 2022: SL Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Match 01

Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis is arguably the most talented batter in the Sri Lankan playing XI and will be crucial for their chances heading into the Asia Cup 2022 later this month. The 27-year-old elegant batter is a vital cog in the middle order or may play as an opener. He has scored 681 runs in 35 T20I innings averaging 20.03 with 6 fifties.

Kusal Mendis made his debut for the national side in 2015 and instantly rose to fame with his impeccable application and technique at the crease, especially in the longest format of the game.

Pathum Nissanka

Sri Lanka’s right-hand opening batter Pathum Nissanka is just one year into his international career but has already showcased his talent with some memorable innings, especially in white-ball cricket.

The 24-year-old did not perform up to his usual high standard in the T20I series against World Champions Australia in June but made amends in the ODI series that followed. He registered two 50+ scores in the five-match series, including a match-winning ton in the third ODI. In 23 T20Is, he has scored 628 runs averaging 28.55.

Charith Asalanka

Charith Asalanka is another young Sri Lankan batter who has made great strides in white-ball cricket since making his debut for the national team in ODIs in June last year. In 20 T20Is, he has scored 521 runs averaging 28.94.

The southpaw is an instinctive batter and is known for his positive intent at the crease. He was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s historic ODI series triumph against the might Australians in June earlier this year, as his tremendous century in the fourth ODI sealed a memorable series victory for the hosts.

Dinesh Chandimal

The selectors have opted to include senior wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Chandimal, who missed the team’s last T20I assignment – a home series against Australia in June-July in Asia Cup 2022 squad. His last T20I outing came in India in February this year. He isn’t in good touch having amassed 1062 runs averaging 19.67 in 68 T20Is.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Bhanuka Rajapaksa showcased his six-hitting abilities in the 2022 edition of the IPL, featuring for the Punjab Kings as a pinch hitter in the middle overs. He was given the license to have a go at the bowlers, something that comes naturally to the batter.

Unfortunately, the 30-year-old has failed to transcend his batting prowess from the domestic leagues to the international level as he had a miserable run with the bat in the T20I series against Australia, failing to even breach the 20-run mark in three outings. He scored 30 runs in 3 innings averaging a mere 10. In 21 T20Is, he has amassed 350 runs averaging 23.33.

Dasun Shanaka

Dasun Shanaka started as an all-rounder for the Sri Lankan team but has played purely as a batter in the last six months, especially in T20Is. His presence at the crease has inspired the team to some incredible victories recently. In 68 T20Is, he has amassed 1015 runs averaging 20.71 and has also picked 18 scalps averaging 24.

The mercurial Sri Lankan skipper has scored two half-centuries in his last five T20Is, including a sensational 54 off 25 deliveries to complete an unprecedented heist against the Aussies in June. He will lead Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2022.

Ashen Bandara

A notable inclusion in the squad is Ashen Bandara, who last represented Sri Lanka in July 2021 in a T20I against India. Also returning to the T20I mix are the experienced duo of Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva, and Jeffrey Vandersay, all of whom missed Sri Lanka’s last T20I series against Australia at home in June which the visitors won by a 2-1 margin.

Ashen Bandara has played only 4 T20Is scoring 84 runs and averaging 28. He will compete for a slot in the XI with experienced campaigner Dhananjaya de Silva, who has scored 412 runs in 23 T20Is averaging 20.6 and taken 5 scalps averaging 34.2.

Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga was the leading wicket-taker in T20Is in 2021 and continued his sensational form in IPL 2022 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, scalping a total of 26 wickets, just one short of the Purple Cap winner Yuzvendra Chahal. In only 38 T20Is, he has picked 62 scalps averaging a phenomenal 14.15.

 Chamika Karunaratne

Chamika Karunaratne, the right-arm pacer has featured in 25 T20Is for the islanders and has had a poor return of just 11 wickets. He will have more responsibility on his shoulders as pace bowling partner Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of Asia Cup 2022 due to injury.

Although the 26-year-old has failed to dismiss batters consistently, he has done relatively well in the middle overs, stifling the flow of runs. His variations are also going to be key at the pitches in UAE.

Maheesh Theekshana

Maheesh Theekshana, the 22-year-old’s action, and bowling style are a bit similar to Indian bowling ace Ravichandran Ashwin, and he often uses the carrom ball to deceive the batters, a trademark delivery of Ravichandran Ashwin. His partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga will be crucial for Sri Lanka in the middle overs. Maheesh Theekshana has picked up 16 scalps averaging 27.38 in 18 T20Is.

Matheesha Pathirana

SLC has also picked the impressive Matheesha Pathirana – the 19-year-old fast bowler who has played nine T20 games and made an instant impact in the few games he played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL this year. Matheesha Pathirana with his slingy bowling action is likened to the former fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who enjoyed a storied career at the top with the national side.

An uncapped 21-year-old left-arm seamer, Dilshan Madushanka, has also found a place in the squad.