The Asia Cup T20 tournament gets underway in Dubai this weekend with a pair of enticing matches. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka open things up on Saturday before the main event of India vs Pakistan on Sunday.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan | Asia Cup T20 Match 1 | 27 August 2022 | Dubai International Stadium | 16:00
To Win Match
Sri Lanka 62/100 | Tie 25/1 | Afghanistan 27/20
Sri Lanka will want to make a fast start to the tournament against a dangerous Afghanistan.
Neither nation have had the ideal build-up considering the situations in their respective countries.
Rashid Khan is the big star for Afghanistan but not the only matchwinner in this lineup.
Pathum Nissanka needs to be the one to get the ball rolling for Sri Lanka when they are at the crease.
Verdict: Sri Lanka 62/100
This is a tough one to call. Sri Lanka haven’t played a competitive T20 since mid-July, but I reckon they should just about get the job done against Afghanistan.
India vs Pakistan | Asia Cup T20 Match 2 | 28 August 2022 | Dubai International Stadium | 16:00
To Win Match
India 42/100 | Tie 25/1 | Pakistan 39/20
In a blockbuster clash, India takes on Pakistan to get things rolling in the Asia Cup.
Rohit Sharma leads a strong India side that will have to answer the question of whether there is still space for Virat Kohli.
Pakistan are without Kohli’s nemesis Shaheen Afridi but they have a T20 unit that can compete against the best.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will prove key to Pakistan matching India for batting power.
Verdict: India 42/100
India have had plenty of chances to play around with combinations in the lead up to the Asia Cup and should have too much firepower for Pakistan.
