After a successful one-day series, Sri Lanka is set to host Afghanistan for the three-match T20 series starting tomorrow. Compared to one-days, Afghanistan is a better T20 team and certainly can challenge Sri Lanka in this series. The two nations have faced each other four times in T20 internationals, with Sri Lanka emerging victorious on three occasions and Afghanistan winning one game. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. Read our piece and create the best possible Dream XI team for the SL vs AFG 1st T20.
Match Details:
Fixture: 1st T20 of the three-match series
Date and Timings: 17th February – 7:00 pm (Local Time)/ 1:30 pm (GMT)
Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
SL vs AFG Probable XI:
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, A Fernando, K Mendis (WK), S Samarawickrama, C Asalanka, J Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, W Hasaranga (Captain), D Madushanka, PM Liyanagamage, and AM Fernando.
Afghanistan
Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Qais Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Hazratullah Zazai, and Naveen-ul-Haq.
SL vs AFG 1st T20 Fantasy Tips:
Considering the pitch, the conditions, and the recent forms, one of the most important fantasy tips from our side is to go with Pathum Nissanka, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Gurbaz in your Dream XI.
SL vs AFG 1st T20 Dream XI Predictions:
Wicket-Keepers
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Gurbaz has faced Sri Lanka three times in the shortest format, scoring a staggering 152 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of over 170. His highest score against Sri Lanka is 84.
- Kusal Mendis: One of the most skilled players from Sri Lanka is also a part of our Dream XI. His record in T20 is not phenomenal, but he is very capable of changing the direction of the game on his very own.
Batters
- Pathum Nissanka: The star of the ODI series, Pathum Nissanka, having scored 346 runs in the series, looks in sublime form and looks well set to score tons of runs in the T20 series.
- Ibrahim Zadran: He has scored 77 runs against Sri Lanka in the format. His highest score is 40.
- C Asalanka: He has scored 908 runs in his international T20 career, averaging just over 25 and striking at over 124.
All-Rounders
- Hasaranga: Hasaranga has faced Afghanistan three times in T20 internationals, taking a total of four wickets.
- Mohammad Nabi: Nabi is one of the hottest properties in T20 cricket, and he also got an IPL gig recently. He averages over 22 and strikes at 139.10 in internationals T20. He has also taken 88 wickets in the format.
- Angelo Mathews: With his experience and versatility, Angelo Mathews also makes his way to our Dream XI team.
- A Omarzai: Omarzai, who has been in superb form over the last year or so, continues to impress.
Bowlers
- Naveen Ul Haq: He has taken 40 wickets in 32 T20 Internationals and has been extremely good with the ball in franchise cricket as well.
- Pathirana: So far, he has played only one T20 international but has represented various teams in franchise cricket and has been pretty good.
Captain
The Captain of our team is Nissanka, owing to his recent form.
Vice-Captain
Gurbaz is the vice-captain of our team.
