Check our Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing Team Picks for 1st T20I on February 17th
Both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan just finished the ODI series where hosts Sri Lanka triumphed by a 3-0 margin. Now, the teams will be set to clash against each other in the 3-matches T20I series which begins on Saturday. All the matches will be played at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.
It’s time for the T20I action! ⚡The skippers @IZadran18 and Wanindu Hasaranga unveil the trophy for #SLvAFG2024 series, starting tomorrow in Dambulla. 🤩🏆#AfghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/7qYXgsjXP0
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 16, 2024
Sri Lanka won the hard-fought T20I series 2-1 over Zimbabwe last month while Afghanistan suffered a 3-0 whitewash against India.
Match Details:
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 1st T20I
Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
Date & Time: February 17th at 7:00 PM IST and Local Time
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and FanCode
What is the Pitch Report for SL vs AFG, 1st T20I?
Men’s International cricket returns to Dambulla after a long gap of five and a half years. It was a regular venue that used to host ODIs but for the first time getting an opportunity to host the T20Is. Bowlers are likely to get more benefit from the surface while the batters need to give themselves time at the start. It’s a 160-170 kind of track and chasing is a better option.
Recent form:
Sri Lanka: Won, Lost, Won, Lost, Lost
Afghanistan: Lost, Lost, Lost, Won, Lost
SL vs AFG, 1st T20I Probable Winners:
Sri Lanka are expected to win this match.
Pathum Nissanaka, who became the Player of the ODI series played between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan spoke to the media about his double ton, his 100 in the 3rd game, his plans for the future, and about playing test cricket.READ: https://t.co/w0mx3s3I1R #SLC #SLvAFG
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 15, 2024
What is the Expected, Probable Playing XIs for SL vs AFG, 1st T20I?
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Matthews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran (c), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Qais Ahmad, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Injury Updates:
Binura Fernando replaces the injured Dushmantha Chameera in the Sri Lankan T20I squad. Mujeeb ur Rahman has not been part of the Afghanistan T20I squad due to a hand injury.
What are the Fantasy Cricket Top Picks, Players for SL vs AFG, 1st T20I?
Top Pick – Batter
Pathum Nissanka had an exceptional preceding ODI series marking his authority by amassing 346 runs in 3 matches with the highest score of 210*. He is eyeing to replicate the same in the T20I series.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Wanindu Hasaranga is a world-class all-rounder and repeatedly showcases his dominance in the shortest format. He had a good stint for Desert Vipers in the ILT20, picking up 12 wickets and scoring 133 runs. The Sri Lankan T20 captain, scalped 7 wickets in the T20I series against Zimbabwe last month.
Touch Down Dambulla! 👍AfghanAtalan have arrived in Dambulla for the three-match T20I series against the home side, starting this Saturday. #AfghanAtalan | #SLvAFG2024 pic.twitter.com/ZmWjE5zsG3
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 15, 2024
Top Pick – Bowler
Matheesha Pathirana will mainly operate in the middle and death overs as he executes the yorkers well. He is coming into the series with 9 scalps for Desert Vipers in the ILT20.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Kusal Mendis has a blend of class and aggression in his batting. He had a quiet T20I series against Zimbabwe, making 54 runs in 3 matches with the highest score of 33.
X-Factor:
Gulbadin Naib was the standout performer with the bat for Afghanistan in the 3-match series against India, scoring 112 runs in 2 innings, comprising 2 half-centuries.
After having Zak Crawley caught in Rajkot, Ravichandran Ashwin became the ninth bowler to reach the milestone of 500 Test wickets 🤩More ➡ https://t.co/wa5VgCRco4 pic.twitter.com/RFoq48rc73
— ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2024
What are the Fantasy Suggested teams for SL vs AFG, 1st T20I?
1. Kusal Mendis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Azmatullah Omarzai (vc), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
2. Kusal Mendis (c), Dasun Shanaka, Ibrahim Zadran, Pathum Nissanka, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Wanindu Hasaranga, Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen ul Haq (vc), Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Pre-Match Analysis:
Sri Lanka has made only forced change from their 2-1 T20I series win over Zimbabwe last month with left-arm quick Binura Fernando coming in place of injured Dushmantha Chameera. The side is well equipped with talented batters consisting of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Kusal Perera who can pose a threat against any opposition. Senior cricketers Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, and Angelo Matthews who have been overlooked from the ODI squad are able to retain their places in the shortest format. Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will continue to lead the side in the T20Is with Charith Asalanka as his deputy. Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana who are well known for their slingy actions come in as specialist bowlers. They have got four spin options including the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, and Kamindu Mendis.
Afghanistan are having a tough time at the highest level having not been able to gain a win across formats over the last month. They lost the away T20I series against India 3-0, while lost the preceding solitary Test against the host Sri Lanka by 10 wickets and got thumped 3-0 in the ODIs. Afghans will be without their spin twins Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman due to injury concerns. Mohammad Saleem is still recovering from a hamstring injury and doesn’t make it to the squad. Batter Rahmat Shah and wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil have dropped from the T20I side. The upcoming wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Ishaq was drafted into the shortest format for the first time. Ibrahim Zadran will lead the side in the absence of Rashid Khan.
