SL vs AFG: Preview, Key Matchups and Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Afghanistan have won both their games [PC: Twitter]

After registering a memorable victory against Bangladesh in their second league stage encounter, hosts Sri Lanka are set to lock horns with Afghanistan in the first match of the super four round in Sharjah tomorrow at 7.30 PM. 

The league stage encounter between these two teams turned out to be one-sided, as Afghanistan swatted Sri Lanka aside by eight wickets. Fortunately, Sri Lanka's openers fired against Bangladesh and would like to ensure a positive start for the team in this game. However, their two mainstays, Charith Asalanka and Danushka Gunathilaka, have had two consecutive poor outings and would want some runs under their belt. 

On the other hand, Afghanistan have been absolutely clinical in the tournament so far. Their bowlers are picking wickets regularly; the batters have also stepped up. So, they will start as certain favourites in this game, but Sri Lanka have the ability to break their winning momentum. 

Match Details

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Hotstar

Pitch Report: The spinners thrived in Sharjah in the last game between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, scalping eight of the total ten wickets. So, we expect a similar track, having just enough assistance on it for the tweakers, in tomorrow's game. If it happens to be the case, both teams will likely bat first and unleash their spinners on the opposition in the second half. 

Key Match Analytics

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have clashed in two T20Is, sharing the honours once each. These two teams' last encounter saw the Afghans easily edge past the Lankan lions. 

Highest Active run-scorer

Bhanuka Rajapaksa: 38 runs, average: 38, Strike Rate: 131.03
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 40 runs, average: 40, Strike Rate: 222.22

Highest Active wicket-taker

Wanindu Hasaranga: 1 wicket in 1 match, economy: 6.33
Fazalhaq Farooqi: 3 wickets in 1 match, economy: 3.66

Key Matchups

Kusal Mendis vs Fazalhaq Farooqi

Mendis in action against Bangladesh [PC: Twitter]

Sri Lankan opener Kusal Mendis averages a mere 16.8 and strikes at an ordinary rate of 91.8 against left-arm pacers in the powerplay in T20Is. He was trapped in front by Afghanistan's promising left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi in the first game of the tournament. So, the battle between Mendis and Farooqi will definitely be a cracking one.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Wanindu Hasaranga

Gurbaz played a blistering knock in the 1st game [PC: Twitter]

Star Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has averaged a mediocre 5.5 and struck at just 78.6 against leg spinners in T20Is this year. He also averages just five against Wanindu Hasaranga in his career. Hasaranga dismissed him in the last match as well. Considering these facts, we believe the battle between these two will be fascinating.

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicket-keeper: Kusal Mendis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Najibullah Zadran, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ibrahim Zadran
All-rounder: Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika karunaratne
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Captain: Rashid Khan
Vice Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga

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