Sri Lanka face Afghanistan in the 11th Group B stability of Asia Cup 2025 On September 18, 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, in a winning game for both sides. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan Won the toss and offer spin aid before offering was selected to bat first on the known surface to go in favor of batting as the match wears. With the hanging in the super four qualifications balance, both teams have made significant changes in their line-up to customize their opportunities.
Why Mahesh is not playing Thekshana
Sri Lanka captain Chirith asanka The option to leave the mystery spinner Mahesh Thekshana In favor of all -round Danith VellajAsananka said during the toss, “We have talked about our middle order batting, we have two-form openers and this is an advantage for us. We have to improve our middle order batting, we want to execute compared to talking. We have a change – streamlined for Theeekshana,
The left-hand conservative spin of Vellage provides a fresh variation against Afghanistan mainly against the right-handed batting unit, while his lower-order depth has exposed the fragility of Sri Lanka’s middle order in recent matches. Theekshana has given a lean run in T20Is this season, struggling for wickets and is recording the rate of economy above eight, inspiring the management to prioritize the batting reinforcement at the depth of the spin.
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Afghanistan’s strategic reaction to an important game
Afghanistan has responded to its own two changes, bringing inside Darwish Rasoli And off-spinner Mujib ur Rahman For Allah Ghazanfar And all -round Gulbadin NaibCaptain Rashid emphasized the importance of simplicity: “Runs on the board are important on this wicket. This is a victory game, we have to keep it simple and correct the basics. This is a new surface, we have played a lot in Abu Dhabi; 165+ is a good score. We have some changes.,
Chasing 155 against Bangladesh after Afghanistan’s batting, Rasoli topped the top and middle order, while Mujib’s experience inspired Rashid Khan’s leg spin and Nur Ahmed’s left hand spin to make a powerful spin trio.
The reputation of Sheikh Zayed Stadium for high scoring competitions means that the establishment or pursuit of 165-plas can be decisive. Sri Lanka’s net run rate advantage offers them a buffer – only an unexpected heavy defeat will eliminate them. Afghanistan, however, there is no margin for error; Only win super four progress ensures progress. The war-to-head battle between the left-arm light spin and Afghanistan’s spin trio against Sri Lanka’s middle order is set to be a defined subphalot. Each team’s strategic tweex Group B shows the pressure of B. Minfield and highlights how small adjustments can affect the merit luck in this tight Asia Cup group.
Both teams play xi
Sri Lanka XI: Patham Nisanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asranka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasranga, Danith Vellage, Dushmanatha Chemera, Nuwan Thaushara
Afghanistan XI: Sedikullah Atal, Rehmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasoli, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarjai, Rashid Khan (C), Mujib Ur Raheiman, Noor Ahmed, Fazalhak Farooqui
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