4 Players to watch out for in Sri Lanka vs  Afghanistan clash

Asia Cup, the tournament of top Asian cricketing nations serves an absolute classic this Monday when Sri Lanka and Afghanistan go head to head against each other. Having lost the opening fixture against the Mushfiqur Rahim inspired Bangladeshi side; Sri Lanka is in all sorts of pressure to win. A loss in this fixture and the 5-time Asia Cup Champions will be all but out of the tournament from the group stage.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, would like to begin their journey with a win in the tournament. In this mega-clash between the two very passionate cricketing nations, the following four key players would be the one to watch out for.

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#1 Rashid Khan

The global leg-spin sensation, Rashid Khan is the first name on the list. With 38 ODI scalps in just 15 matches, Rashid is the leading wicket-taker this year. Interestingly, it would be Rashid’s first ever encounter against the Sri Lankans in the ODIs.

If Afghanistan is to win this clash, the world no. 2 rated ICC bowler has to bring up his bowling tricks and variations in action and deliver big time. SL normally plays spin better, so it would be worth watching how Rashid fares against the Lankan batsmen.

#2 Upul Tharanga

The batsman with undiscovered potential

Sri Lanka’s talisman Upul Tharanga opened his account in the tournament with a glorious 6 over mid-off. The swashbuckling opener despite having made a good start failed to capitalize and departed for 27 in the opening fixture against Bangladesh.

With the place for the semis in the stake, opening batsman Upul Tharanga will certainly look to go big. Needing only 100 runs to complete 7000 runs in ODI cricket, it’s very much possible that he will reach the milestone in this match itself.

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#3 Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi is Afghanistan’s most experienced cricketer with already 101 ODI caps to his name. The efficient all-rounder capable of batting in the middle order and bowling some quality off-spin would once again be the man Afghanistan would heavily rely on.

Nabi had a very good series with the ball in the recently concluded ODI series against Ireland and he certainly would be looking forward to continuing in the same fashion.

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#4 Lasith Malinga

He can be a game changer

Malinga, an absolute gem of a bowler returned to Sri Lanka’s coloured clothing after more than a year with sensational bowling figures of 10-2-23-4. The modern-day great bowler showed on Saturday that he still has got all the tricks up on his sleeve.

The glimpse of Malinga getting at his absolute best was on display in the clash against Bangladesh as he was firing those trademark in-dippers at 140kph. It would now be worth watching if the gun bowler can continue his form when SL face Afghanistan in a must-win encounter later today.

#2 Upul Tharanga

The batsman with undiscovered potential

Sri Lanka’s talisman Upul Tharanga opened his account in the tournament with a glorious 6 over mid-off. The swashbuckling opener despite having made a good start failed to capitalize and departed for 27 in the opening fixture against Bangladesh.

With the place for the semis in the stake, opening batsman Upul Tharanga will certainly look to go big. Needing only 100 runs to complete 7000 runs in ODI cricket, it’s very much possible that he will reach the milestone in this match itself.

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#3 Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi is Afghanistan’s most experienced cricketer with already 101 ODI caps to his name. The efficient all-rounder capable of batting in the middle order and bowling some quality off-spin would once again be the man Afghanistan would heavily rely on.

Nabi had a very good series with the ball in the recently concluded ODI series against Ireland and he certainly would be looking forward to continuing in the same fashion.

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#4 Lasith Malinga

He can be a game changer

Malinga, an absolute gem of a bowler returned to Sri Lanka’s coloured clothing after more than a year with sensational bowling figures of 10-2-23-4. The modern-day great bowler showed on Saturday that he still has got all the tricks up on his sleeve.

The glimpse of Malinga getting at his absolute best was on display in the clash against Bangladesh as he was firing those trademark in-dippers at 140kph. It would now be worth watching if the gun bowler can continue his form when SL face Afghanistan in a must-win encounter later today.