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SL vs AFG Match 11 Statistical Preview: Key Stats, Records And Head To Head Ahead Of Asia Cup 2025 Clash

Akshita Patel

Sri Lanka to clash against Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2025 [Source: @ACBofficials, @SonyLIV/X.com]Sri Lanka to clash against Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2025 [Source: @ACBofficials, @SonyLIV/X.com]

Afghanistan will face Sri Lanka in a do-or-die clash of the Asia Cup 2025 tournament. The 11th fixture will be held on Thursday, September 18, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi from 8:00 PM IST.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka have already sealed their Super Four spot after a thrilling 4-wicket win over Hong Kong, thanks to Wanindu Hasaranga’s quickfire cameo and Pathum Nissanka’s half-century. The upcoming clash is vital for Sri Lanka to carry the momentum forward. 

Afghanistan

For Afghanistan, their Asia Cup 2025 hopes hang by a thread as they must beat Sri Lanka to stay alive after a narrow 8-run loss to Bangladesh. Despite a positive net run rate, the Afghans have only one win so far. Hence, the batting team especially needs to step up to avoid elimination.

SL vs AFG Head-To-Head Overview

Sri Lanka have had 8 T20I clashes against Afghanistan, out of which the former managed to win 5 games while the Afghans settled for 3 victories. Hence, head-to-head, the Lankans hold a clear edge.

Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

The Zayed Cricket Stadium pitch is expected to be tricky and not high-scoring, with the average first-innings total ranging between 140 and 150. The surface offers low bounce, making batting a challenge, especially under the lights in the second innings. 

Batters need to stay patient against good-length deliveries, while bowlers often find assistance as the match progresses. Off-spinners and medium pacers are likely to play a key role, making this a tough venue for chasing teams. 

Sri Lanka And Afghanistan Probable Playing XI

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi 

Top Run Scorers In SL Vs AFG T20Is

We are considering only the players from the current squad.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz - 248 Runs

Young Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz loves batting against Sri Lanka. In 6 T20I innings, he has hammered 248 runs with a 41.33 average and 172.22 strike rate, including 2 fifties and 14 sixes.

Ibrahim Zadran - 164 Runs

Experienced top-order batter Ibrahim Zadran has scored 164 runs against Sri Lanka in the last 6 T20I matchups. He maintained a 32.80 average and a 117.14 strike rate.

Pathum Nissanka - 139 Runs

Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka has been his team’s best batter against Afghanistan with 139 runs in 6 T20I innings. Nissanka also maintained a 27.80 average and 154.44 strike rate.

Top Wicket-Takers In SL vs AFG T20Is

We are considering only the players from the current squad.

Wanindu Hasaranga - 8 Wickets

Sri Lanka’s spin king Wanindu Hasaranga has picked 8 wickets in 6 T20I innings played against Afghanistan with a 16.12 average, a 5.60 economy and a 3-wicket-haul.

Mohammad Nabi - 8 Wickets

Afghanistan's veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has trapped 8 Sri Lankan batters in 6 T20I innings. While his average was 18.62, Nabi maintained an impressive 6.77 economy.

Matheesha Pathirana - 8 Wickets

Interestingly, Matheesha Pathirana also picked 8 wickets in just 4 T20I appearances against Afghanistan. He maintained a solid average of 13.00 and an economy of 8.66, including a four-wicket-haul.

SL Vs AFG Key Stats

Sri Lanka Key Records

  • Pathum Nissanka is the leading run-scorer of the Asia Cup 2025 so far with 119 runs in 2 innings while maintaining a 59.00 average, a 151.28 strike rate, 12 fours and 3 sixes.
  • Nissanka also has an excellent record against Afghanistan (139 runs). Moreover, in 16 balls faced against Mohammad Nabi in the T20 format, he has scored 29 runs with a 181.25 strike rate and zero dismissals.
  • Wanindu Hasaranga can contain Rahmanullah Gurbaz, as in past battles, the Afghanistan batter managed to score just 38 runs in 24 balls while Hasaranga dismissed him twice.
  • Additionally, against right-handed batters, Hasaranga has picked up 106 wickets in 79 T20Is with a 6.79 economy, a 14.0 average and a 39.6% dot ball. 
  • Maheesh Theekshana is another bowler Sri Lanka can count on. Out of 14 wickets picked in the UAE, the spinner had 5 successes in Abu Dhabi alone. 
  • Out of the 7 T20Is played in the UAE, Sri Lanka has won 4 and lost 3, which brings their win/loss ratio to 1.333.

Afghanistan Key Records

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz will back himself to dominate with the bat against Sri Lanka, having previously scored 248 runs in 6 innings. In the UAE alone, he has hit 765 runs in 32 innings, out of which 231 runs came at the Abu Dhabi venue.
  • Fazalhaq Farooqi has a sensational record against Kusal Mendis, with 11 runs conceded in 22 balls in T20I cricket. Farooqi has dismissed Mendis 3 times, which makes it an exciting player battle to watch out for.
  • Rashid Khan has dismissed Kusal Perera once in a brief 2-ball face-off in the T20 league format. Noor Ahmad also cleaned up Perera with the only ball he has ever bowled to him in T20I cricket.
  • Rashid Khan also has an impressive record in Abu Dhabi with 19 wickets taken in 13 T20I innings. His economy throughout this time was 6.06. 
  • In the T20 Asia Cup alone, Rashid has 14 wickets in 10 innings with an 18.00 average and a 6.46 economy. 
  • Afghanistan has previously played 18 T20Is in Abu Dhabi and won 12 games, which brings their win/loss ratio to 2.000.

Records That Can Be Broken In SL vs AFG Match 11 Of Asia Cup 2025

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz (1824) is 7 runs away from overtaking Najibullah Zadran (1830) as the third-highest run scorer for Afghanistan in T20Is.
  • Pathum Nissanka (2068) is 23 runs away from overtaking Kusal Mendis (2090) as the second-highest run scorer for Sri Lanka in T20Is. 
  • Dushmanth Chameera (66) is 1 wicket away from Kulasekara (66) and Ajantha Mendis (66) as the second-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in T20Is.
  • Gulbadin Naib is 15 runs away from completing 1000 T20I runs.
  • Charith Asalanka is 7 runs away from completing 1300 T20I runs.