Having been crushed in the one-off Test as well as in the ODIs, the Afghanistan cricket team are now set to wrap up the ongoing Sri Lanka tour with a three-match T20I series. The opening 20-over clash between the Asian rivals will be hosted at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Saturday, February 17.
Both teams have already played a T20I series this year. In their previous assignment, Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in a three-match series at home. Afghanistan, on the other hand, suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of India last month. They failed to win any game of the three-match series. The Afghan brigade will now look to bounce back this time against Sri Lanka as a positive result will help them gain confidence ahead of the all-important ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled for June.
Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran. They will miss the services of their star spinner Rashid Khan, who is yet to recover from the back injury that he sustained last year. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will also skip the T20I series due to a sprain in his right hand. Pacer Wafadar Momand has been called up to replace Mohammad Saleem Safi, who has been ruled out for a hamstring injury.
Wanindu Hasaranga will continue to lead the Sri Lankan unit, with Charith Asalanka serving as his deputy. Pacer Dushmantha Chameera will not feature in the T20I home series. Sri Lanka, however, has a strong pace attack featuring the likes of Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando and Matheesha Pathirana.
Dream11 Prediction:
Fantasy Player Picks for SL vs AFG
Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga
Vice-captain: Azmatullah Omarzai
Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Perera, Karim Janat
Bowlers: Noor Ahmed, Naveen-ul-Haq, Maheesh Theekshana
SL vs AFG Probable XIs:
SL Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Matthews, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Perera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara
AFG Probable XI: Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Qais Ahmed, Noor Ahmed
SL vs AFG Full Squads-
SL Full Squad For First T20I: Wanindu Hasaranga (C), Charith Asalanka (VC), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando
AFG Full Squad For First T20I: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi, Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Wafadar Momand, Qais Ahmad
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