T20 World Cup 2022: Match 32 - Predicted Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Afghanistan

It’s the battle between the bottom two teams of Group 1 as Afghanistan take on Sri Lanka in match 32 of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Brisbane on Tuesday, November 1. The Lankan tigers would look to keep their semifinal hopes alive and the Afghans would try to get their first win of the tournament.

The Island nation has blown hot and cold in the tournament so far. After losing to Namibia in the qualifying stage, they put up a clinical show to progress to the Super 12. They won their first encounter of Super 12 against Ireland convincingly by 9 wickets. But they’ve lost their last two matches rather comprehensively against Australia and New Zealand. 

Despite losing their previous match comprehensively against the Blackcaps, Sri Lanka might be tempted to go with the same playing XI which was used against the Kiwi side. Let us take a look at Sri Lanka's probable XI against Afghanistan. 

Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis

Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have not been able to give their best in the Super 12 stages so far. Both openers have played some unnecessary shots to throw away their wickets in the competition so far. 

Both Mendis and Nissanka are expected to play a crucial role for their side and will be required to give a fast start to Sri Lanka, particularly during the field restrictions, and try to neutralize Afghanistan's spin attack. 

Middle-order: Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 

Talented batter Charith Asalanka was not able to get going in his previous match against New Zealand. The left-handed batter took eight balls to score his four runs before being scalped by the senior pacer Trent Boult. Asalanka will be hoping to make a key contribution to his team in the upcoming game. 

Batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa looked threatening against New Zealand as he took just 22 balls to score his 34 runs which included three fours and two maximums. He will be looking to repeat his antics with the bat in the upcoming game. 

All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Dasun Shanaka (C)

All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva was good with the ball in the previous match, but he bagged a three-ball duck with the bat. The senior will want to have a much better outing in the next game with both and the ball. 

Sri Lanka's skipper Dasun Shanaka played a decent knock of 35 runs in just 32 balls, but he could not win the game for his side. Similarly, Chamika Karunaratne disappointed with both bat and the ball against the Kiwis and both of them will definitely want to give a match-winning effort against Afghanistan. 

Bowlers: Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Lahiru Kumara 

Sri Lanka bowlers had the New Zealand batters on their knees after they reduced them to just 15/3 in 3.6 overs, but the likes of Theekshana and Kumara were quite expensive with the ball, especially towards the end phase of the innings.

Star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took one wicket for his side and gave away just 22 runs in his four-over quota and he is expected to play a crucial role for his side in the upcoming game. Pacer Kasun Rajitha also had a good outing against the Kiwi side as he took two crucial wickets for his team, he is also expected to retain his place in the playing XI. 

Sri Lanka's probable playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara