Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup, Match 1: Players records and approaching milestones

Finally, the wait is over as the 15th edition of the Asia Cup is here which will be played in the T20 format, for the second time in the competition’s history. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are set to kick off the tournament on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. They are joined by Bangladesh and the three teams form Group B. The other group consists of arch-rivals India, Pakistan, and Hong Kong who beat UAE to qualify for the main event.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the next round, the Super-4, as a total of 13 matches will take place including the final across two venues Dubai and Sharjah in just over two weeks. Talking about the titles, the Lankan Lions are the second most successful side in the tournament after India, having lifted the trophy five times. On the other hand, the Afghanis are yet to win their maiden title after promising performances in every championship.

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 Maheesha Theekshana.

They will hope to start their campaign on a winning note as they aim to clinch their first title since 2014. Their opponents for this game, Afghanistan are always a threat and Sri Lanka must be wary of it. Mohammad Nabi-led Afghanistan will be playing their landmark 100th T20 international and they would look to make it more special by sealing a victory.

Meanwhile, here are some of the important stats and numbers ahead of the 1^st match in the Asia Cup between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan:

Head-to-Head: Surprisingly, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have met only once in T20 internationals. Both sides clashed against each other in the 2016 T20 World Cup in Kolkata, where Sri Lanka defeated the Afghans by six wickets.

1 – Dasun Shanaka (49) needs one six to complete 50 maximums in T20Is.

3 – Charith Asalanka (47) needs three fours to reach 50 fours in T20Is.

2 – Najibullah Zadran (98) requires two fours to complete 100 fours in T20 internationals.

1 – Pathum Nissanka (49) is one game away from appearing in 50 international matches.

7 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (93) requires seven fours to get to 100 fours across formats.

1 – Afghanistan (99) will be playing their 100th T20 international match.

3 – Rashid Khan (112) needs three scalps to surpass Tim Southee (114) and become the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals.

13 – Najibullah Zadran (1487) is 13 runs away from reaching 1500 runs in T20Is.