SL vs AFG Match Prediction - Who will win today's 2nd T20I match between Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan?

Preview

Afghanistan (AFG) will look to stay afloat in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka (SL) when they take on the Lankan Lions in the second game on Monday, February 19, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.

Ibrahim Zadran would be very happy with how his bowlers fared in the first T20I. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the visitors bowled out Sri Lanka for 160 in 19 overs. Except Qais Ahmed, who conceded 36 runs in three overs, all other Afghan bowlers did a commendable job. Wanindu Hasaranga played a stunning knock of 67 off 32 balls to take his team to a competitive total.

In reply, Hasaranga's opposite number, Ibrahim, played the role of an anchor but his team kept losing wickets at the other end. He remained unbeaten on 67 off 55, failing to get the 11 runs required to win in the last over, bowled by Binura Fernando. Afghanistan were eventually restricted to 156/9, losing by just four runs. Matheesha Pathirana bowled an excellent penultimate over to pull things back in Sri Lanka's favour.

Match Details

Pitch Report

The pitch for the first T20I was pretty good to bat on when the ball was new. However, as the ball got older, it started gripping and scoring became a bit more difficult. A similar surface is expected for the second T20I. The captain who wins the toss would want to bowl first and restrict the opposition to a score below 165. Clear skies are expected on Monday and that should come as a fantastic piece of news for the fans.

Probable Playing XIs:

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana

Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik

Probable best batter of the match

Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a six and a four off consecutive deliveries off Angelo Mathews before getting out. He scored 13 in just six balls. The talented wicketkeeper-batter has been in excellent form in the franchise leagues around the world and has the game to rattle the opposition bowlers inside the PowerPlay and get his team off to a rollicking start. Afghanistan fans will want him to first in the second T20I.

Probable best bowler of the match

Matheesha Pathirana was awarded Player of the Match for his excellent outing with the ball in the first game. He finished with remarkable figures of 4/24 from his four overs. Afghanistan needed just 14 runs from the last two overs, with three wickets in the bag. However, Pathirana bowled a magnificent 19th over, where he conceded just three runs and picked up two wickets to bring his team back in the game.

Today’s Match Prediction: Team batting second to win the match

Scenario 1

Sri Lanka win the toss and bowl

Power Play score - 45-55

First Innings score- 160-170

Sri Lanka win the match

Scenario 2

Afghanistan win the toss and bowl

Power Play score – 40-50

First Innings score - 165-175

Afghanistan win the match

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Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.