Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss against Sri Lanka and chose to bat first in the decisive Asia Cup Group B clash in Abu Dhabi.
The decision was in line with Afghanistan’s preference for setting a target, a strategy that has brought success in this tournament. Three of the five games so far have been won by sides batting first, which may also have influenced Rashid’s call.
Afghanistan made two changes to their line-up, bringing in Darwish Rasooli to bolster the batting and recalling Mujeeb Ur Rahman for his experience in the spin department. They replaced Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Ghazanfar.
Sri Lanka also made a single expected change, with Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm spin preferred over Maheesh Theekshana’s mystery spin. Captain Charith Asalanka noted that he would also have chosen to bat first, adding that Sri Lanka are looking to improve their middle-order batting.
teams
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Afghanistan XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
