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SL Drop Theekshana; Mujeeb Returns As Rashid Decides To Bat First In Must-Win Match

Aashay Chopade

Rashid Khan and Charith Asalanka at toss (Source:@Saurabh64892171/X.com)Rashid Khan and Charith Asalanka at toss (Source:@Saurabh64892171/X.com)

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has won an important toss in the final Group B encounter against Sri Lanka and has decided to bat first. The Afghans have made two changes to their XI that loss a close encounter against Bangladesh with Rasooli and Mujeeb Ur Rehman coming for Allah Ghaznafar and Gulbadin Naib.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have dropped Maheesh Theekshana and have decided to give a game to young Dunith Wellalage.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka: Playing XIs

Afghanistan Playing XI : Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Sri Lanka Playing XI : Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage

SL vs AFG Toss: Captain's Talk

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan Captain): "We would like to bat first. I think, runs on the board at this ground is key on this wicket. It is a must-win game for us to qualify for the Super 4s. We weren't dealing with pressure in the last game. We have to do the basics right in the pressure games. We reflect on that part. We will try to keep it simple. Well, it is a new surface. No one has played so far on this pitch. But we have played here in Abu Dhabi a lot. So, we know what we have to do. It is usually a good surface to bat on. Around 170, or anything above 165, should be a par score.  A couple of changes for us. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Gulbadin Naib are out. Darwish Rasooli and Mujeeb Ur Rahman come in."

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka captain): "We would have done the same thing. There is room for improvement. We have been talking about our middle order batting. We have two in-form openers, that is an advantage for us. Rather than talking we just want to do it. Dunith Wellalage comes in for Maheesh Theekshana. 

It is a must-win match for Afghanistan if they want to qualify for Super 4 round, while Sri Lanka are in a relatively safer place after dominant win against Bangladesh. They would be eliminated only if they lose by a huge margin.