Another match between the two Asian teams. Another match between a Full Member and an Associate. Another match that carries a lot of expectations. Another match that would be fought with pride and passion. Another match between the two teams that have lost their opening game, that too badly.
It is match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Irrespective of its position in ICC ODI ranking Sri Lanka is a force to reckon with among the full members, especially in ODI and even more if it is an ICC event. They are 1996 winner, 2003 semifinalist and finalist in both 2007 and 2011. Afghanistan on the other hand is a force to reckon with among the associates, just like Ireland. Whenever it plays, wherever it plays, it plays with passion that is infectious.
Both the teams are coming into this game losing its opening game but a loss that could dent their confidence. Sri Lanka lost to the host New Zealand by 98 runs and Afghanistan lost to Bangladesh by 105 runs. How much each have recovered from that loss will determine how they perform tomorrow. This game is an opportunity for both of them to secure two points. But definitely Sri Lanka are the favourites. The only time that both the teams have met before this encounter was in the Asia Cup last year, where Sri Lanka won by 129 runs which is huge margin. The most interesting fact about that match was that Afghanistan restricted Sri Lanka to 253/6.
The X-factor for the Afghanistan team would be their pace attack. Shapoor Zadran and Hamid Hassan are a lively new-ball attack. Mirwais Ashraf also showed his utility when he bowled with lot of discipline in the previous match. They may not have the pace of Malinga or Lakmal, but they have tremendous control. The only issue being that they are not able to sustain the intensity throughout the innings. Having said that their weaker link are the other two departments. In fielding they may be active and quick towards the beginning, but as the time progresses, they slacken. Their catching is also not up to the mark. In batting, they still have to learn the art of constructing an innings to begin with, and then construct an innings without losing wickets and without losing the sight of asking rate. At times, in the past, even in T20 world cup, it has been seen that as soon as they lose wickets in cluster, they just forget scoring and work towards only surviving the full quota, which is not the right approach.
One person who would attract eyeballs in tomorrow's match, especially when he comes to bowling would be Samiullah Shenwari. He is an important cog in Afghanistan's bowling attack with his leg spin. In the last match against Bangladesh, he was removed from bowling after due warnings for stepping on to the protected area in his follow up. It would be interesting to see if he has over come that limitation. He is very important with the bat, so Afghanistan would definitely not drop him because of this.
As far as team composition is concerned, there is not much that they can do. If at all they thought that their top order batsmen let them down, then they may replace on or two there, but otherwise their team looks settled.
The X-factor in Sri Lanka's camp would be Lasith Malinga without any doubt. He is returning from a six month lay off due to injury. He did not have a good outing against New Zealand where he was expensive and could not take any wickets. But towards the end of his spell in that match he showed signs of being the Malinga he has been. On his day, it is difficult for even seasoned campaigners to face him. This time it will be Afghanistan, so he can play a very crucial role. Sri Lanka should hope that Suranga Lakmal carries his form from the previous game. Sri Lanka would also expect a lot from the big three - Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene. Sri Lanka too has to step up its fielding. Sri Lanka dropped catches off both Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson in the tournament opener, before both batsmen went on to hit half-centuries.
As far team composition is concerned, I see no change from what was fielded against New Zealand.
Honest assessment would suggest that Sri Lanka is not West Indies, hence you cannot expect Afghanistan to dent them as Ireland did to West Indies. Afghanistan are not yet there. They have to do extremely well in all the three departments to challenge Sri Lanka, but there too one can expect only a thrilling match. Sri Lanka would not just see this as an opportunity to gain two crucial point but also to improve on their NRR.
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