In what is the final and crucial clash of Group B, we will see unbeaten 6-time champions Sri Lanka up against wounded Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. This can be billed as the clash between the real second best team in Asia up against the self proclaimed second best team in Asia. Both teams have had different journeys so far, but it is do-or-die clash for Afghanistan. They win, they will go through but if they lose, they will bow out of the competition.
Group A has been settled with one game to go there with India and Pakistan going through after a drama filled night in Dubai where match was delayed by an hour due to unforeseen circumstances. But Group B has gone to the wire and Sri Lanka though well-placed know they cannot afford to take things for granted and go for the win. The Lankans can go through with a narrow loss but they shouldn’t be taking much chances. Bangladesh will be sitting in the hotel rooting for a Sri Lanka win as their net run rate is the worst of the three teams in contention.
Overview
After Group A was decided in Dubai amidst all the drama which led the game to start an hour later, India and Pakistan went through and are into the Super 4s. Two more spots remain both from Group B and we shall see which two out of three teams make it through with Bangladesh sitting in their hotel watching this game. It will be unbeaten Sri Lanka taking on wounded Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It is the 11th match of the tournament.
It is the clash between the real second best team in Asia in Sri Lanka up against the self proclaimed second best team in Asia in Afghanistan. Sri Lanka are currently at the top of Group B standings with 4 points from two games having won both their fixtures. On the other hand, Afghanistan are in third place with two points from two games having won one and lost one.
The equation is pretty simple for Afghanistan. They need to win this game at any cost to qualify for the Super 4s. If they lose, then Bangladesh who is currently in second place with four points will go through with Sri Lanka to the next round.
Sri Lanka needs to avoid a mammoth defeat in order to go through to the Super 4s. For Bangladesh to go through, they will ideally need Sri Lanka to beat Afghanistan. Or else, they will need Sri Lanka to lose by a huge, huge margin so that their Net Run Rate falls below Bangladesh’s. Destiny is not in Bangladesh’s control later tonight.
The Charith Aslanka-led side brushed aside the Bangla Tigers in their opening game by six wickets. Then it beat Hong Kong by four wickets. An easy run chase turned into a nervy one as the Lankan Lions stumbled towards the back end, but Wanindu Hasaranga’s timely cameo saved Sri Lanka from an embarrassment against the Yasim Murtaza-led outfit.
Sri Lanka’s top order is in some form, with Pathum Nissanka doing the bulk of the scoring. They depend on Wanindu Hasaranga to do the magic with the ball, However, the pace attack has stepped up nicely with the new ball in this tournament.
Afghanistan started their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a thumping 94-run win over Hong Kong in a game where everything from start to finish clicked for them. They came under pressure against Bangladesh while chasing 155 to win. They crumbled under pressure to end up with a narrow eight-run defeat. Afghanistan are yet to chase down a total in excess of 150 against full member nations in Asia. They struggle big time while chasing a total.
Afghanistan have their spin department sorted, with skipper Rashid Khan himself leading from the front. Noor Ahmad is also a dangerous operator. Azmatullah Omarzai has been a standout performer with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has played two magnificent knocks so far, although he would have loved to finish the game against the Tigers. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have to step up at the top of the order, alongside Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi. The two veteran all-rounders haven’t been able to stitch the middle order together.
Both teams have a few players who haven’t put on shows as per their potential in this tournament. All eyes will be on big-match players and whether they can step up under pressure. Rashid Khan and his men take the field with the tournament on the line.
It remains to be seen whether Afghanistan bounces back to defeat Sri Lanka and secure a place in the Super 4s or will Sri Lanka deliver the knockout punch later tonight and help Bangladesh qualify for the Super 4s.
Head-To-HeadÂ
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have played each other in 8 T20Is with Sri Lanka winning 5 of them and Afghanistan the remaining 3 matches. But Afghanistan won the last meeting against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka by 3 runs on 21st February 2024. Although Sri Lanka had won the first two matches of the series then as well. An interesting clash awaits us all.
Pitch & Weather Report
The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi is a balanced one for both batters and bowlers. There will be lateral movement and help for the seamers early on but as the game progresses, there will be help for the spinners as they control and choke the game in the middle overs. Batting in the second innings can be tough with more help for the spinners. This ground has seen mixed results as far as batting first and second is concerned. A score of around 160-170 is competitive.
It will be interesting to see the captains’ decision at the toss as Afghanistan will definitely want to bat first. Sri Lanka can chase and even bat first as well. So, it will be interesting to see the toss decision. As far as the weather goes, it will be another hot and humid day in Abu Dhabi. The temperature will be unbearable in the day time but will be cooler at night. The discomfort level will be there, but the players are professional enough and will adjust to tough conditions out there. There is no chance of rain or thundershower in Abu Dhabi.
Predicted/ Probable Playing XIs of both sides
Here we will predict the playing XI of both sides:
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.
Afghanistan XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Key Players to watch out for in this clash:Â
Pathum Nissanka: Pathum Nissanka has become Mr. Reliable for Sri Lanka and has done the bulk of the heavy lifting for them. He was in great form in Zimbabwe and has done the heavy lifting in Asia Cup as well getting back-to-back fifties in the tournament. Sri Lanka relies heavily on him and sometimes overdependent on him and Afghanistan will do well to know that is Sri Lanka’s biggest weapon and try dismiss him early.
Wanindu Hasaranga: Wanindu Hasaranga is an utility cricketer for Sri Lanka with both bat and ball and he changes the balance of the side. Hasaranga can take wickets with the ball and keep the runs down as well. Then with bat in hand, he is handy down the order which he showed under pressure against Hong Kong scoring 20 off 9 balls and winning the game for his side. He is a match-winner and Sri Lanka will look up to him to deliver the goods yet again.
Rashid Khan: The captain of Afghanistan will be key going forward as he has done the job with the ball and is a handy batter down the order trying to finish the innings. He couldn’t quite do the job against Bangladesh, but he will be keen to bounce back and deliver the goods with the game on the line in Abu Dhabi. A champion cricketer brings out his best under pressure and we should not be surprised if he does that tonight.
Noor Ahmad: Noor Ahmad has been in good form with the ball and has complimented Rashid really well. Much will be expected from Noor to do well and perform and he could be the match winner as his mystery spin may put the underperforming Sri Lankan middle order under pressure. Afghanistan fans will hope Noor steps up and runs through Sri Lanka so that the batters don’t have to chase much especially if they are chasing.
Key Records/Stats to look forward to in this clash:Â
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz who has 1824 runs to his name is 7 runs away from overtaking Najibullah Zadran who has 1830 runs as the third highest run scorer for Afghanistan in T20Is.
- Pathum Nissanka who has 2068 runs is 23 runs away from overtaking Kusal Mendis who has 2090 runs as the second highest run scorer for Sri Lanka in T20Is.
- Dushmantha Chameera who has 66 wickets is 1 wicket away from Nuwan Kulasekara who has 66 wickets and Ajantha Mendis who also has 66 wickets to overtake them and become 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.
Possible Outcome of the Match
This is a game of equals and whoever plays better on the night will win. It is the battle between two quality sides with good spinners and fast bowlers as well. But Sri Lanka have the better batting depth. Looking at form, conditions and everything we reckon Sri Lanka will start as favourites and knock out Afghanistan from the Super 4s race. Afghanistan are not out of it and the best chance for them will be batting first and putting the runs on the board.
We shall see how the game pans out in Abu Dhabi later tonight as the stage is set for what should be an epic finale to Group B proceedings in Asia Cup 2025. We will know the two teams from Group B to go through by the end of tonight.
Also Read:Â Asia Cup 2025: Rishad Hossain Spins Out Afghanistan