New Delhi: Asia Cup 2022 will begin with the hosts Sri Lanka taking on Afghanistan. The game seems to be pretty equally matched up as it is tough for anyone to pick a team out of the two. The fact that both the teams have their strengths and major weaknesses to exploit, makes it more exciting.
Afghanistan, who has played the weaker teams as compared to their opponents, has won the T20I series against Ireland, and Zimbabwe while drawing with Bangladesh. On the other hand, Sri Lanka has managed to win just one T20I series since 2020 and that was against India’s second-best side playing with net bowlers as the first-choice players were suffering from COVID-19. Having said that, in 2022, Sri Lanka lost the T20I series against Australia 2-1, while winning the ODI series 3-2.
Taking a look at the strengths and weaknesses, here is an analysis to know who has the real edge:
Sri Lanka’s squad analysis
Dasun Shanaka, who will be leading the side has a great average of 34.46 in the last 20 innings played in the last year. His innings of 54* off just 25 balls to win a tough chase against Australia is a statement in itself. He played that knock when Sri Lanka needed 59 runs from 18 balls. Shanaka will be crucial for Sri Lanka’s success in the tournament. Other batters from whom the Sri Lankan will have some hopes are Pathum Nissanka, who is also their highest run scorer in T20Is in the last year, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who has not been in tremendous form but his power-hitting ability makes him a T20 specialist in the team. Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis’ experience and form will also be crucial for their success.
Among the bowlers, Wanindu Hasaranga has taken 29 wickets in just 16 innings at an average of 13.79. Sri Lanka’s pace attack does not look great in absence of injured Dusmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara. Hasaranga will have a huge job to do, and it does not look like what is the plan B if Hasaranga goes for some runs.
Afghanistan’s squad analysis
It is a team filled with individual match winners and T20 specialists. Looking at the batting, Afghans are big hitters, but the concern is the consistency. Najibullah Zadran has been the leading batter for Afghanistan, who can give an average above 30 and a strike rate above 135. Lately, the team has also been dependent on Mohammad Nabi’s all-around skills and the captain has proved with the bat too. He is currently the number 1 T20I allrounder.
There is not much one needs to say about the Afghan spinners. With Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, the spin trio looks deadly. The concern, similar to Sri Lanka, is the pace attack. Naveen-ul-Haq has been someone who has taken a few wickets, but knowing that they have played against comparatively weaker oppositions, the number still looks low.
Conclusion
The game is about Sri Lanka’s batters versus Afghanistan’s bowlers. While Sri Lanka’s in-form batters are expected to take away the game, Rashid and Mujeeb can do wonders everyone knows. The good news is that there has not been much dew in the last four days, so the game will not be decided just with a toss of a coin.