Sports BD: Settled Afghanistan look to upset troubled Sri Lanka

Big picture Currently, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
find themselves on either side of a
seesaw; one looks skyward, while the
other has won only three of their last 16
completed international games. Yet,
such has been Sri Lanka's prowess in
global events that the contest is still
tipped in their favour.
Afghanistan came through the first
round of the World T20 unscathed,
overpowering their closest competitors
Zimbabwe with an ease that caught the
attention of the rest of Group 1. More
impressively, Afghanistan have adapted,
ditching their gung-ho approach for a
calculated assault in conditions that will
only increase their potency. The bowling
has been solid, and captain Asghar
Stanikzai has used his available
resources astutely. Mohammad Nabi, the
best of their host of spinning
allrounders, has stood out with both bat
and ball.

Another fascinating aspect in the
qualifier was Afghanistan's attitude on
the field. Their discernibly animated
reactions and yelps of frustration to a
fumble, more often than not, added to
the pressure rather than being a
motivating factor for the fielders.
Afghanistan came close to beating Sri
Lanka in the 2015 World Cup, and they
may never find the opposition more
vulnerable.

Sri Lanka seem to have, unfortunately
for the tournament, carried their Asia
Cup form into the World T20 warm-up
games. Their last win was against UAE,
a closely-fought match in the Asia Cup,
but where is the next one coming from?
Sri Lanka's win drought recently is
directly proportional to the form of
their best players. Post the retirement of
Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar
Sangakkara, now a selector after a
major revamp, many tipped the likes of
Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan
and Lasith Malinga to carry the torch till
the next generation of young blood came
through. Neither have the youngsters
shone through consistently nor has that
torch been supported.

However, underestimate a Sri Lanka
side at an ICC competition at your own
peril. They might just be spurred by the
reminder of home by Kolkata's spin-
friendly nature.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most
recent first)

Afghanistan : WWWWW
Sri Lanka : LLLWL

Watch out for
Sri Lanka's opening pair of Dinesh
Chandimal and Tillakaratne Dilshan
have enough experience between them
to understand the value of the
Powerplay in slow, low conditions.

Mohammad Shahzad's passion has been
visible on and off the field, clapping and
counselling his team-mates through the
end overs. However, his primary role is
with the bat, and he has found a blend
between aggression and caution, with
ones and twos becoming an increasingly
vital part of his game.

Team news

Despite a fluid batting and bowling
order, Afghanistan's XI is settled. With
the pitch expected to play on the slower
side, Afghanistan may opt for an extra
spinner in place of Hamid Hassan.

Afghanistan (probable): 1 Mohammad
Shahzad (wk), 2 Noor Ali Zadran, 3
Asghar Stanikzai (capt), 4 Mohammad
Nabi, 5 Gulbadin Naib, 6 Shafiqullah, 7
Samiullah Shenwari, 8 Najibullah
Zadran, 9 Dawlat Zadran, 10 Rashid
Khan, 11 Hamid Hassan/Amir Hamza

Lahiru Thirmanne made a 29-ball 41
and a 37-ball 45 at No. 3 in the warm-
ups against New Zealand and Pakistan
and is likely to keep his place. Malinga
is still doubtful for this clash, and could
be excluded as a preventive measure
unless he has completely recovered from
his "bone bruise".

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dinesh Chandimal
(wk), 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Lahiru
Thirimanne, 4 Milinda Siriwardana, 5
Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Chamara
Kapugedera, 7 Thisara Perera/Dasun
Shanaka, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9
Rangana Herath, 10 Sachithra
Senanayake, 11 Dushmantha Chameera
Pitch and conditions

With the weather set to be fair, the
captains and think-tank are likely to
look down more than up. The pitch is
likely to take plenty of turn, but provide
even bounce. With sluggish conditions
expected, the captains would look to bat
on winning the toss.

Stats and trivia:

Sri Lanka have won just two
of their last 10 T20Is, while
Afghanistan have won nine of
their last 10.

These two teams have never
met each other in a T20I.

Among the current squads,
only Mohammad Shahzad
(1287) and Tillakaratne
Dilshan (1751) have more
than 1000 T20I runs.