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ToggleSri Lanka and Afghanistan are set to square off with each other in the 2nd T20I of the ongoing series. SL vs AFG 2nd T20I 2024 takes place on Monday, February 19. The venue of SL vs AFG 2nd T20I is Dambulla International Stadium.
Wanindu Hasaranga leads Sri Lanka in the SL vs AFG T20I series. Ibrahim Zadran is the captain of Afghanistan in the series. The SL vs AFG T20I series will witness three games. Sri Lanka won the 1st T20I and leads the series 1-0.
Team Analysis
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has been inevitable in the ongoing campaign against Afghanistan. They won the Only Test and also the three-match ODI series. They also crushed the visitors in the 1st T20I. However, it was a close-fought encounter. Sri Lanka is a very powerful side on their home soil.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has executed an astonishing performance in the ongoing tour against Sri Lanka. However, they have not managed to win any games after 5 games in the tour. Afghanistan is a powerful side in the shortest format. They failed to crush the hosts in the ODIs and Test but have the might to outplay them in the SL vs AFG T20Is.
Also Read: Bangladesh squads for Sri Lanka white-ball series announced; Mahmudullah returns to T20I set-up
Key Factors
Pitch Conditions
Dambulla International Stadium has hosted 4 T20Is so far and the top team total at the stadium was 160. Hence, the stadium looks like an average-scoring ground. In the SL vs AFG 1st T20I, pacers from both teams enjoy massive success.
Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi got 3 wickets while Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai hunted 2 wickets each. Sri Lanka speedster Matheesha Pathirana grabbed a 4-wicket haul in Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st T20I. Hence, it looks like Dambulla International Stadium offers some assistance to pacers.
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Form and fitness
Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Sadeera Samarawickrama are three Sri Lanka batters who own stunning form. They showed a magnificent batting show in the ODI series. While Wanindu Hasaranage delivered a decent show in the ODIs series, Pathirana was fabulous in the SL vs AFG 1st T20I.
Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmat Shah delivered a good show with the bat for Afghanistan in the SL vs AFG ODIs. Afghan bowlers failed to showcase a good bowling show in the ODI series. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai showed good form in the T20Is.
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Tactical Acumen
For Sri Lanka, their strength is the home advantage. Sri Lanka is a very strong side at home, who have also defeated teams like India and Australia in series at home during the last few years. On the other hand, Afghanistan‘s might is their teamwork. Also, Afghanistan have a lot of all-rounders and hence, they have more members who can contribute with both bat and ball.
SL vs AFG Today Match Prediction- 2nd T20I, Who Will Win Today T20I Match? 2024
Score Prediction
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| Sri Lanka | 160-180 | 140-160 |
| Afghanistan | 150-170 | 140-160 |
Players to perform prediction
Sri Lanka- Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Kusal Mendis have shown a superb batting form. They are likely to come up with another good show in the next T20I. Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga impressed with their bowling recently.
Afghanistan- Ibrahim Zadran gave a superb show with the bat in the opening T20I game. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi showed good form in the ODI series. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq were impressive in Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I.
Also Read: Afghanistan squad for Sri Lanka T20Is announced, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman ruled out
Best Batsman
Who will score the most runs for Sri Lanka in the match: Pathum Nissanka or Kusal Mendis
Who will score the most runs for Afghanistan in the match: Ibrahim Zadran or Azmatullah Omarzai
Best Bowler
Who will pick the most wickets for Sri Lanka in the match: Wanindu Hasaranga or Matheesha Pathirana
Who will pick the most wickets for Afghanistan in the match: Fazalhaq Farooqi or Naveen Ul Haq
Who will win the Match?
Sri Lanka is a slightly better team than Afghanistan and has more chances to win the SL vs AFG 2nd T20I. In the previous game, their top-order batters failed to score good knocks. Still, Sri Lanka managed to defend their target. In the 2nd T20I, their batters are likely to come up with a better show and hence, they might post a better total against the visitors.
Conclusion
SL vs AFG is a very crucial match for both teams. While Sri Lanka can win the series if they win the match, Afghanistan needs a victory to remain active in the three-match series. The SL vs AFG 2nd T20I is also likely to be a thrilling match like the 1st T20I.
Afghanistan will strike hard in the 2nd game while Sri Lanka will look for a better batting show than in the last game. Afghanistan has a powerful bowling unit. This might help them to outplay the hosts. However, Sri Lankan players are quite powerful at their home.
