Sri Lanka (SL) will face Afghanistan (AFG) in Match No. 11 of the Asia Cup 2025 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on Thursday, September 18. The islanders are off to a good start to their campaign with six-wicket wins over Bangladesh and four wickets against Hong Kong. With two wins already under their belt, Sri Lanka will aim to continue their dominance and seal their place in the Super Four stage.

Afghanistan, in contrast, is in a do-or-die situation. Having obtained one win and lost one, Rashid Khan’s side must win this game to stay in the tournament. Should they lose, they would be out of the competition and confirm that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would progress instead.

SL vs AFG: Head to Head

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have faced each other in T20 internationals on 8 occasions, and Sri Lanka is narrowly ahead overall.  

• Overall Matched played – 8  
• Won by Sri Lanka - 5  
• Won by Afghanistan - 3  
• Tied - 0

SL vs AFG: Stadium Stats

Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi has historically favored teams that bowl first, with a 57% win when chasing. With average first-inning score of 145 and often affords a competitive balance between bat and ball.

• Matches Played: 49
  
• Win Bat first: 43%
  
• Win Bowl first: 57%
  
• Average 1st Innings Score: 145
  
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 133
  
• Highest Total: 210/2 (AFG vs IND)
  
• Lowest Total: 84/10 (BAN vs RSA)
  
• Highest Chase: 174/2 (SA vs IRE)
  
• Lowest Defended: 129/6 (PAK vs ENG)

SL vs AFG: Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka (SL): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Afghanistan (AFG): Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

See Also: WATCH: Mohammad Harris hits umpire during PAK vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 clash

Asia Cup 2025: Updated Points Table

After completion of ten matches, here’s how the points table looks in both groups:

Group A

Group B