Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 3rd T20I Match Preview

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will take on each other in the third and final T20I game of the three-match series at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla. Having already won the first two games the hosts will look to make a clean sweep. Sri Lanka won the last game with ease as their opening batters took on the opposition bowlers from the very first ball. Later on, Sadeera Samarawickrama built on the momentum in the middle order with a half century, allowing the home team to post a 188-run target which proved too much for the Afghans.

Afghanistan, who are coming from the ODI series whitewash and losses in the first two T20Is as well, would want to end the tour on a high under captain Ibrahim Zadran's leadership. The contest promises excitement as both teams would strive to bring their A-game on the field. Sri Lanka would aim to whitewash the T20I series as well, while Afghanistan would seek to put on a great show in the final game. 

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium Pitch Report 

The upcoming 3rd T20I match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan is set to take place at the familiar Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla. The pitch promises an intense battle between bat and ball, with spinners getting some turn in the latter stages. The team that wins the toss should look to bat first. Weather forecast predicts clear skies and a gentle breeze, setting the stage for a full 40-over match.

Probable Playing XI

Sri Lanka:

The home team will look to field their strongest lineup once again for the third encounter and whitewash the series the same way they did in ODIs. Sri Lanka's batting contingent relies heavily on the capabilities of wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka to put up significant runs on the scoreboard. These key players hold the responsibility to drive Sri Lanka's batting force against the visitors.

Predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana.

Afghanistan:

The team management might go with the same XI as the previous one, aiming for a stronger batting display in the upcoming match. Their hopes rest significantly on captain Ibrahim Zadran, wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, southpaw Najibullah Zadran, and the versatile all-rounder trio comprising Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Gulbadin Naib to lead the charge with the bat. Afghanistan bank on these key players to put them in the driving seat.

Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq

Head-to-Head Records:

SL vs AFG, 3rd T20I Broadcast details: