Asia Cup 2022, SL vs AFG: Sri Lanka’s predicted playing XI for Match 1

The 15th edition of the Asia Cup is set to begin in the United Arab Emirates on August 27, Saturday, and the curtain raiser of the tournament will be the hosts, Sri Lanka facing off with Afghanistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka would be raring to start off with a win on board, given that they have had a tough year in T20Is so far. 

Shanaka’s men won only two of their previous 11 matches and also come into the series on the back of a 2-1 series loss to Australia at home. Afghanistan, on the other hand, won six of their last nine games in T20Is and would be high on confidence coming into the Asia Cup 2022. 

Let’s look at Sri Lanka’s probable playing XI against Afghanistan for Match 1, Asia Cup 2022:

Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka

Pathum Nissanka, although is not a proven T20 batter, has been in fine fettle across formats and is their best option for the opening slot at the moment. With a century and a half-century in the previous limited-overs series against Australia, he would look to carry the form into the Asia Cup. His opening partner Danushka Gunathilaka has also been trusted in the shorter format by Sri Lanka, giving him a run of games. He is an experienced campaigner, and the team will be hoping that he finds his form in this tournament.

Middle-order: Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka could yet again persist with the same old combination of Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis and Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the middle for numbers three, four and five. The order among these three has been variable in recent times. The keeping gloves, as has been the case in the case lately, will be handed to Mendis.

All-rounders: Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga

Skipper Shanaka is their go-to big-hitter in the middle. He would also be expected to bowl a few overs and chip in as another pace bowling option in the absence of Dushmantha Chameera. Wanindu Hasaranga is their leading spinner and a valuable asset with the bat down the order. He is a prolific wicket-taker and can contribute with some handy cameos with the bat.

Bowlers: Chamika Karunaratne, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka

Due to the absence of Chameera, Sri Lanka might have to shuffle their combination to a certain extent. Big things would be expected of pacer Chamika Karunaratne and make his experience in the format count. The team might go with another spinner with Maheesh Theekshana. Pacer Pramod Madushan, who came into the squad as Chameera’s replacement, might make his debut along with left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka.

Sri Lanka’s predicted XI for Match 1, Asia Cup 2022: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka