Symbol credit score: AP

LATEST UPDATE: t’s Jayasuriya time to get in at the motion as he bowls a instantly one who Asghar Afghan fails to learn and is struck at the pads. This time the umpire has no hesitation in elevating the finger. Afghanistan are 110/three after 26 overs.

The reside telecast of the fit will get started at 5:00PM on September 17 (Monday). The fit may also be observed live to tell the tale the Megastar Sports activities community and reside streaming will probably be to be had on www.hotstar.com. You’ll be able to additionally observe our reside weblog for ball-by-ball updates and research on cricketnext.com.

Yet one more defeat and Sri Lanka will probably be out of the 2018 Asia Cup. After a 137-run loss to Bangladesh within the match opener, the Angelo Mathews-led facet may have the entirety to play for once they tackle Afghanistan in a Workforce B conflict on the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday (September 16). In spite of having Bangladesh two down within the first over, Sri Lanka, courtesy sloppy fielding and Mushfiqur Rahim’s brilliance, allowed the opposition to publish a powerful 261 runs at the board. Alternatively, issues were given even worse once they got here out to bat as they had been bowled out for mere 124 in 35.1 overs. Within the absence of Dinesh Chandimal and Danuskha Gunathilaka, Sri Lankan batting seemed incapacitated. Upul Tharanga confirmed sure intent however ended up taking part in manner too many flashy photographs which resulted in his downfall. Not one of the batsmen controlled to pass the 30-run mark and it used to be most effective on account of some at hand, however futile, contributions from Dilruwan Perera and Suranga Lakmal the Islanders reached the three-figure mark.
The likes of Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Mathews should bat with extra accountability to permit gamers like Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera to play their herbal recreation. The 2 Pereras were in first rate type of overdue, and at the side of different batsmen, should step up in opposition to Afghanistan’s spin-dominated bowling assault. “It used to be a gorgeous dangerous effort from the entire group,” stated Mathews after the defeat. “We made numerous errors whilst batting. The verdict making via the entire batting unit used to be deficient.” Alternatively, Sri Lanka will probably be overjoyed with the way in which Lasith Malinga bowled within the closing fit. Making his go back to the One-Day Global facet after a chronic absence, the 35-year-old, who ended the sport with figures of 10-2-23-4, confirmed everybody why he’s nonetheless one of the crucial perfect limited-overs pacers in international cricket. There have been inswinging yorkers, slower ones and bouncers, and if the similar Malinga presentations up on Monday, he could make issues difficult for Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka have misplaced 30 of 40 fits because the get started of 2017 and the craze may proceed if they do not deliver their A-game in opposition to Afghanistan. The tenth-ranked ODI facet have had an excellent run in 2018, beating Eire and Zimbabwe, except for profitable the Qualifiers to cement their position within the 2019 Global Cup. This match will supply Afghanistan an ideal platform to check themselves in high-pressure eventualities and scrutinise the place they stand in opposition to different top-contenders. Afghanistan have named 3 frontline spinners – Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Sharafuddin Ashraf, along all-rounder Mohammad Nabi – of their squad. They’ll closely depend on their confirmed spinners to as soon as once more do the activity at the observe that may be offering excellent quantity of flip. Whilst second-ranked ODI bowler Rashid and Nabi want no reputation, 17-year-old Mujeeb too has controlled to create his personal id within the closing 12 months or so. It’s not going to be simple for Sri Lankan batsmen to head after the spinners, and thus will glance to assault the pacers. Afghanistan actually have a truthful few all-rounders of their ranks which give them stability.
Alternatively, it is Afghanistan’s batting that has allow them to down in recent years. Their closing 3 defeats have all come when their batsmen have failed rating 200. The onus will probably be on captain Asghar Afghan, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Shahzad, Samiullah Shenwari to give a boost to their bowlers.
Sri Lanka have overwhelmed Afghanistan each the days they have got confronted off on this layout. The closing time those two groups met used to be within the 2015 Global Cup the place Sri Lanka slightly were given over the road, however so much has modified since then. Whilst Afghanistan are making the entire proper strikes, Sri Lanka’s graph is most effective heading in a single path, downward.

Squads

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Amila Aponso, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Upul Tharanga.

Afghanistan: Asghar Afghan (capt), Javed Ahmadi, Munir Ahmad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Aftab Alam, Ihsanullah, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Shahzad, Samiullah Shenwari, Sayed Shirzad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran.