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Sri Lanka have performed one, received one, but when issues go awry on Tuesday they very properly might be out of the Asia Cup, such is the character of this yr’s match. But for that to occur Afghanistan have to win, and win huge. How huge will depend upon the exact match state of affairs, however hypothetically talking, in the event that they have been to attain 275 runs, they would want to win by a margin of at the very least 68 runs, or chase down any goal in 35 overs or much less.
Suffice to say this provides Sri Lanka a fairly nifty buffer, particularly on a Lahore floor that has been positively grasping for runs. This can even be fairly a reduction you think about for Sri Lanka’s batters, who’ve over the previous month (primarily through the LPL) been subjected to far much less batter-friendly tracks.
That stated, the toss is more likely to play a fairly main function. While the workforce bowling second may need to cope with dew, it is an arguably rougher deal for the aspect bowling first as they’d have to take action within the searing Lahore warmth. Indeed, talking post-match on Sunday after their win in opposition to Afghanistan, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan introduced it up unprompted as one of many key causes they received the sport, declaring that it would not have been straightforward for Afghanistan to bat after fielding in that warmth for 50 overs.
Match circumstances apart, this ought to be a reasonably even contest. Of the final 5 accomplished ODIs between these two sides, Sri Lanka edge it 3-2. And that is now a Sri Lanka aspect with out just about their whole first alternative bowling assault. These sides nevertheless do not are inclined to have too many nail-biters, with 4 of these 5 video games ending in fairly dominant wins.
If you are of Afghan persuasion that is a promising signal, however you must think about the percentages are nonetheless fairly closely stacked in Sri Lanka’s favour. Against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka confirmed that, even with accidents, they nonetheless possess sufficient firepower and nous to take 10 wickets in a match, whereas Afghanistan nonetheless need to disprove the notion that their batting is a smooth contact when you get previous the highest order.
Form information
Afghanistan LLLLL (final 5 ODIs, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka WWWWW
In the highlight
Team news
Afghanistan’s bowler’s struggled in opposition to Bangladesh, with the seamers particularly taking some stick. Noor Ahmad is an possibility to switch one in every of Karim Janat or Gulbadin Naib, whereas Riaz Hassan might additionally are available to clean up the center order.
Afghanistan XI (possible): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Najibullah Zadran, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Gulbadin Naib 8 Karim Janat, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sri Lanka will doubtless head in with an unchanged XI, although in the event that they have been to incorporate Kusal Perera within the aspect, one in every of Dimuth Karunaratne or Pathum Nissanka might make means. Dushan Hemantha additionally offers a wrist spin possibility.
Sri Lanka XI (possible): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 8 Dushan Hemantha/Dunith Wellalage, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Kasun Rajitha 11 Matheesha Pathirana
Pitch and circumstances
Scores of 300 are par for the course in Lahore, with Bangladesh hitting 334 final trip with out a lot bother. The climate too is anticipated to be scorching and humid, with highs touching 37 levels doubtlessly, whereas it ought to settle round 26 levels by night. Winning the toss and batting first appears a no brainer.
Stats and trivia
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com
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