Sheikh Zayed Stadium Pitch Report: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025

The Sri Lankan cricket team faces Afghanistan in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 on September 18, 2025. The Group B contest sees the Afghans in a must-win scenario. Sri Lanka own 4 points from two matches, winning both their games. They beat Hong Kong and Bangladesh. On the other hand, Afghanistan downed Hong Kong before losing to Bangladesh.  

If Sri Lanka win, they will move into the Super 4 alongside Bangladesh. If Afghanistan win, they will move alongside Sri Lanka on the basis of NRR. Bangladesh’s NRR of -0.270 is inferior to that of both SL and AFG at the moment. The Tigers have played their 3 matches in the group (W2 L1).

If both Afghanistan and Bangladesh are to progress, the Afghans need to win by a massive margin to force Sri Lanka’s NRR to fall below Bangladesh’s.

One would feel there is everything to play for. Afghanistan need to bring in their A game, whereas Sri Lanka will aim to win themselves and not depend on NRR.

It could be another massive game of the tournament so far, and this is a game to look forward to.

The Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Asia Men’s T20 clash will be held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Sri Lanka squad for the Asia Cup

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.

Afghanistan squad for the Asia Cup 2025

Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Farid Malik, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

In terms of the H2H record, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have met 8 times in the 20-over format. SL own 5 wins to that of Afghanistan’s 3. 

Sri Lanka probable XI for the match against BAN

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thusara.

AFG probable XI for the match against Sri Lanka

Rahmanullah Gurbaz,(wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Allah Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad.

The Group B match will start at 8:00pm IST on September 18 in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi & Key Details of the Stadium

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, is located in the UAE. Established in 2004, the stadium can host around 20000 people. As per ESPNcricinfo, the stadium cost $22 million to build and is arguably one of the world’s finest cricket grounds.

Interestingly, there is no pavilion as such here at this venue. In fact, there are large changing rooms under one of the stands. Teams watch the game from inside air-conditioned glass rooms.

Notably, the Lankan side has played 7 T20Is here and have lost thrice and won 4 times. The Afghans have featured in 18 matches here, winning 12 and losing 6 times.

What is the Pitch like at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi?

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch in Abu Dhabi is generally a balanced surface that initially favours batsmen with good pace and bounce. However, as the game progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into prominence and making batting more challenging. Afghanistan spinners will be lethal in the middle overs, and that’s where Sri Lanka will be tested immensely. Sri Lanka too have quality spin and an able pace department.

Key Stats & Records at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

The highest total at this venue is recorded by Ireland, who scored 225/7 versus Afghanistan in 2013. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s best score here is 189/3 against the West Indies in 2021. Afghanistan’s best score here is 198/5 against Zimbabwe in 2021.

The lowest team total here is posted by Nigeria (66/9). Bangladesh’s lowest score here is 84/10 in 2021 versus South Africa. Sri Lanka’s lowest score here is 102/10 versus Pakistan in 2017.

Overall, Paul Stirling has the most T20I runs here, scoring 406 runs at 33.83. Among active cricketers of Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka has the most runs here. He owns 167 runs from 4 matches at 41.75. For AFG, Karim Janat has bagged 290 runs at 36.25 from 12 matches.

Among bowlers, Bilal Khan of Oman and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan have the most wickets here (19 each). For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga owns 7 wickets.

As per ESPNcricinfo, the average run rate for teams batting first here in T20Is is 7.16. This increases to 7.26 for teams batting 2nd. 

SL vs AFG: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?

According to the weather forecast, the weather in Abu Dhabi will be humid and clear. No showers can be expected, and there will also be no major interruptions.

SL vs AFG: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?

In terms of bowling, this could be an even contest with both sides having decent resources up their sleeve. AFG spinners hold an advantage over their counterparts. Sri Lanka also have a crunch bowling attack. 

FAQs – Pitch Report for Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

What is the pitch report for Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi?

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch in Abu Dhabi hasn’t crumbled much and is consistent. This is generally a balanced surface that initially favours batsmen with good pace and bounce. However, as the game progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into prominence and making batting more challenging.

What is SL and AFG’s record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi?

As per ESPNcricinfo, the Lankan side has played 7 T20Is here and have lost thrice and won 4 times. The Afghans have featured in 18 matches here, winning 12 and losing 6 times.