Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE Streaming, LIVE Ball by Ball Commentary at ICC T20 World Cup 2016: LIVE Score Updates, Team News, Squad, Date, Time

Sri Lanka find themselves in a tough transition period and will have to dig deep if they are regain their limited-overs mojo. However, they will be wise not to head into Kolkata thinking that the contest against Afghanistan will help them ease into the tournament today(16th March 2016).

The Afghans are fresh from a resounding success in the qualifiers with three consecutive victories. Even though Sri Lanka will be a major step up from earlier opponents, their never-say-die attitude could give a scare to the defending champions at the ICC T20 World Cup 2016.

Strangely, both teams performed well below their expected levels in the recently concluded Asia Cup. While Afghanistan were denied a place in the main event by UAE, the Lankans could not beat either of India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka 2016 LIVE Ball by Ball Commentary

Catch all the live action, ball by ball commentary and live score updates right here

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka 2016 LIVE Streaming Details

TV Channel: Star Sports 1, HD1 (English) and 3, HD3 (Hindi)

Online Stream: www.starsports.com, Hotstar app

Match Date: 17 March 2016, Thursday

Match Time: 19:30 IST, 14:00 GMT

Match Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Team News

Afghanistan Team

Head Coach Inzamam ul Haq has inclined to not tinkering too much with the team combination. Shahzad’s power-hitting approach at the top of the order will be complemented by the likes of Stanikzai and Naib.

In the bowling department, Hamid Hassan's return from fitness issues will rejuvenate the dressing room. Nabi’s canny off-spin should be a perfect foil for Rashid’s leg-breaks which have suffocated opposition batsmen to a great extent.

Sri Lanka Team

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) revamped the selection panel in the days leading up to the competition. The selectors brought in Lahiru Thirimanne to bolster the middle-order and also Suranga Lakmal to offer a back-up seam option.

However, the bigger news which could disrupt their campaign was Lasith Malinga’s tryst with injuries. Angelo Mathews has stepped in to lead the side and will be hoping that his spearhead recaptures his fitness in the coming matches.

Teams (Predicted XI)

Afghanistan XI Squad

Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Noor Ali Zadran, Asghar Stanikzai (C), Gulbadin Naib, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi, Shafiqullah, Dawlat Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Hamid Hassan

Sri Lanka XI Squad

Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara Kapugedara, Angelo Mathews (C), Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka/Sachitra Senanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Dushmantha Chameera

Pitch & Conditions

The surface at the Eden Gardens is likely to a sluggish one with some purchase for the slow bowlers. However, batsmen once set can take advantage of the dimensions by targeting the shorter boundaries.

There is no threat of rain with temperatures expected to be around 24-34° C. A little bit of humidity will add to the precipitation factor while dew might also hamper bowlers in the end overs.

Recent Form

Afghanistan: W-W-W-W-W

Sri Lanka: L-L-L-W-L

Key Stats: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan

• Sri Lanka have lost 8 out of their last 10 T20Is
• Afghanistan’s current Win-Loss ratio of 1.750 is the best among all T20I teams
• Tillakaratne Dilshan's tally of 1751 T20I career runs is comfortably a Sri Lankan record
• Mohammad Shahzad is the only batsman from non-Test playing nations to have crossed the 1000 run mark in T20Is