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ToggleThe SL vs AFG T20I series kickstarts with the first T20I in Dambulla. The match starts at 7 pm IST on February 17, Saturday. All three matches will be played in Dambulla and start at 7 pm. Afghanistan are winless in this tour so far.
Afghanistan are yet to win a single match in this series so far. They lost the one-off Test and were whitewashed in the ODI series. They are now looking to make a comeback in the T20I series.
The side will be led by Ibrahim Zadran who led them in the ODI series against Sri Lanka as well. Rashid Khan continues to miss games for the national team. He is still recovering after his lower back surgery.
The batting looks the stronger suit of the visitors in the absence of Rashid Khan. There will be added pressure on the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad to deliver in the absence of Rashid Khan. Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Mohammad Nabi are the likely key batters for Afghanistan in the first SL vs AFG T20I.
Sri Lanka will be led by Wanindu Hasaranga in the T20I series. He won his first series as captain against Zimbabwe 2-1. Though the Lankans won the series, they were tested to the limit by the African nation.
Sri Lanka have thoroughly dominated Afghanistan in the series so far winning the one-off Test by 10 wickets. Sri Lanka won the first ODI by 42 runs, second by 155 runs, and third by seven wickets. Pathum Nissanka scored 346 runs in the three-match series scoring a double century in the first ODI and a century in the third.
SL vs AFG: Players To Perform Prediction
PathumNissanka will be the key batter for Sri Lanka based on his current form in this series. The other key batter might be Kusal Mendis who boasts a strike rate of 140 in the first. Another key batter might be Kusal Perera who scores at over 130 in the format as well. The key bowlers for Sri Lanka in this series will be their spin twins Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.
Eyes will be on how Hasaranga will lead the side and use himself as a strike bowler in the series. For Afghanistan, as said earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are the key players with the bat. With the ball, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are expected to make an impact given the pitch will aid spin.
SL vs AFG: Scores Prediction
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| Sri Lanka | 150-180 | 140-160 |
| Afghanistan | 160-180 | 130-150 |
Recent Venue Records (Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla)
STATS – T20
Total matches 3
Matches won batting first 1
Matches won bowling first 2
Average 1st Inns scores 133
Average 2nd Inns scores 124
Highest total recorded 141/3 (17 Ov) by SLW vs INDW
Highest score chased 141/3 (17 Ov) by SLW vs INDW
Lowest score defended 138/6 (20 Ov) by INDW vs SLW
Who Will Score Most Runs For Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis / Pathum Nissanka
Who Will Take Most Wickets For Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga / Maheesh Theekshana
Who Will Score Most Runs For Afghanistan: Rahmaullah Gurbaz / Ibrahim Zadran
Who Will Take Most Wickets For Afghanistan: Noor Ahmad / Mujeeb Ur Rahman
SL vs AFG Today Match Prediction- 1st T20I, Who Will Win Today’s T20I Match? 2024
Sri Lanka are ahead by a margin of 3-2 in five T20I games between the two sides to date. At home in known conditions with a better and experienced bowling attack, Sri Lanka are favorites to win the first T20i.
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