SL vs Afg, Asia Cup 2025: This is why Maheesh Theekshana does not play the match of today
Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan in the 11th group B of the Asian Cup 2025 At Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 18, 2025 in an essential match for both parties. Captain Afghan Rashid Khan won the draw and chose to fight first on a surface known to promote the striker early before offering spinte assistance as the match is preparing. With the qualification of super oven suspended in the scale, the two teams have made key changes to their programs to optimize their chances.
Reason why Maheesh Theekshana does not play
Captain of Sri Lanka Charith Asalanka Choose to drop Mystery Spinner Maheesh TheEkshana in favor of the versatile Dunith Wellage. Asalanka said during the draw: “We talked about our medium order striker, we have two fit openers and this is an advantage for us. We have to improve our average ordering, we want to execute that to speak. We have a change – Wellage for Theekshana. “”
The orthodox spin of the Wellalage left arm offers a new variation against the unity of striker to the right of Afghanistan, while its lower depth of the lower order deals with the average fragility of Sri Lanka exhibited in recent matches. Theekshana has endured a Lean race in T20is this season, fighting for the counters and recording an economic rate higher than eight, which prompted management to prioritize the strengthening of the striker on the depth of the rotation.
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Afghanistan tactical response for a crucial game
Afghanistan responded with two changes, bringing Darwish Rasoli and off-screen Mujeb ur rahman For Allah Ghazanfar and versatile Gulbadin Naib. Captain Rashid stressed the importance of simplicity: “The races on the table are important on this counter. It is an essential game, we must remain simple and make the foundations correctly. It is a new surface, we have played a lot in Abu Dhabi; 165+ is a good score. We have some changes.“”
Rasooli strengthens the upper and average order after the collapse of Afghanistan’s striker passing 155 against Bangladesh, while Mujeeb’s experience completes the rotation of the legs of Rashid Khan and the rotation of Noor Ahmad’s left arm to form a powerful trio of spin.
The reputation of Sheikh Zayed Stadium for high score competitions means that the implementation or prosecution of 165 years could be decisive. The advantage of net execution rate of Sri Lanka grants them a stamp – an improbable heavy defeat would eliminate them. Afghanistan, however, has no margin of error; Only victory guarantees great oven progression. The head-to-head battle between the rotation of the Wellage left arm and the Trio of Spin of Afghanistan against the average order of Sri Lanka should be a decisive secondary intrigue. The tactical adjustments of each team reflect the pressure of the mines field of group B and highlight how small adjustments can influence the qualification fortunes in this tight group in Asia Cup.
Play XI of the two teams
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mandis, Wanundu Rasaanga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmanha Chameraa, Nuwan Thushara
Afghanistan XI: Sediqulah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasoololi, Karim Janat, Mohammad Prophet, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
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