Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs Afghanistan- Asia Cup 2025, Match 11

Sri Lanka will take on Afghanistan in the eleventh match of the Asia Cup 2025. This article provides details about Sri Lanka's Playing 11 vs Afghanistan for the eleventh match of the tournament.

Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs Afghanistan- Asia Cup 2025, Match 11:

Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk)

The former Asia Cup champions, Sri Lanka, would like to win the upcoming game to book a spot in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025.

For that to happen, the Charith Asalanka-led side will have to get the better of Afghanistan in the last group stage match.

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Sri Lanka would wish to rectify the mistakes they made in the previous match against Hong Kong, which they should have won a lot earlier than they did.

The captain and coach would want the batters to finish the job once they get set, something which was missing against Hong Kong, a game which they eventually won.

Amidst all the chaos, one of the few positives for Lanka in that match was the form of opener Pathum Nissanka, who continued to score runs and would want to replicate the same performance against Afghanistan.

Nissanka's opening partner, Kusal Mendis, who found it difficult to get going against Hong Kong, would wish to play a match-winning innings in the next outing and gain confidence for the matches to come.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga

As mentioned above, the team management would want a better effort from the middle order batters who got out after getting their eye in, which left Sri Lanka in a tricky situation during the dying stages of the game.

The likes of Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera, who have been in decent form in the competition, will have to take the responsibility and capitalize on the platform laid by the openers.

Lanka would also want their lower middle order to get a hit in the middle, as their contribution can prove to be crucial come the next round.

Although the Lankan batting stretches till number eight with Wanindu Hasaranga coming in to bat at that position, the onus would be on the top five batters to score the bulk of the runs for the team.

Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Sri Lankan bowlers have done a decent job in what have been helpful conditions for bowling in the UAE.

The duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga have exploited the help that is available for the spinners to their advantage.

Along with the spinners, the Lankan fast bowlers have also played their part with the new ball and in the final five overs.

Lanka is expected to stick with the combination of three specialist bowlers and one all-rounder, which has worked for them in the eight-team tournament so far.

As far as the fifth bowler's quota of four overs is concerned, it will be bowled in partnership by the current captain, Charith Asalanka, and former captain Dasun Shanaka.