UAE must be feeling confident after their win over Canada. It came in Delhi, where they play their remaining two group games as well. But they too rely heavily on Canada beating New Zealand. If New Zealand beat Canada, which is more likely, UAE will have to pull off a series of miracles. They will have to beat Afghanistan and then South Africa, who have been unbeaten so far. And they will have to do so by such margins that their net run rate goes above New Zealand’s. That gap, at the moment, is huge.

So, how do Afghanistan and UAE proceed? Perhaps, as players often say, by taking one game at a time.

Ibrahim Zadran is a perfect foil for the attacking Rahmanullah Gurbaz. While the role of the anchor in T20 cricket is diminishing every second, things are different at T20 World Cups. Moreover, Zadran has upped his intent of late. Two of his four 50-plus scores since October came at a strike rate of more than 150. However, he has managed only 22 runs off as many balls in two outings so far. Afghanistan expect much more from him.

Born in Bihar, graduated from Jamia Millia Islamia and now playing for UAE, Sohaib Khan showed against Canada how destructive he can be. His 29-ball 51, laden with four fours and four sixes, turned UAE’s fortunes around. But this was not the first time his hitting prowesses were on display. At the Rising Stars Asia Cup in November, he had smashed 63 off41 balls against India A in Doha. In that game, he had taken 24 runs off eight balls against Suyash Sharma. Can he repeat those heroics on Monday?

Both teams are likely to go with unchanged XIs.

Afghanistan (probable):  Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk),  Ibrahim Zadran,  Gulbadin Naib,  Sediqullah Atal,  Darwish Rasooli,  Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi,  Rashid Khan (capt),  Mujeeb Ur Rahman,  Noor Ahmad,  Fazalhaq Farooqi

UAE (probable):  Aryansh Sharma (wk),  Muhammad Waseem (capt),  Alishan Sharafu,  Mayank Kumar,  Harshit Kaushik,  Sohaib Khan,  Muhammad Arfan,  Muhammad Farooq,  Haider Ali,  Junaid Siddique,  Muhammad Jawadullah

[Cricinfo]

This is only the second month of the year, and nothing rode on this match in terms of progression in the tournament, but this is an early contender of the innings of the year just because of how much better Kishan was than the average better on this surface. Shaheen Shah Afridi had the right idea to bowl into the surface even with the new ball, but the quick hands and low height of Kishan turned the first ball into a dismissive pull over forward square leg for a six. Then he hit Agha over mid-on against the turn.

A lot of focus has been around Usman Tariq, but Pakistan’s main spinner for long has been Abrar Ahmed with his mix of offbreaks and carrom balls. Kishan didn’t let him settle, sweeping him first ball for six.

Sri Lanka had enough to get past Ireland (aided by the latter’s fielding) and were comfortably too strong for Oman. That contest was a nice ego boost for the batting with Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake and the under-pressure captain Dasun Shanka flaying half-centuries. In their opening game, Kamindu Mendis had produced an eye-catching display. They certainly have the tools to cause Australia’s undermanned attack problems.

These two sides have not played each other in a T20I since the 2022 World Cup when Marcus Stoinis hunted down the target with an 18-ball 59. And while no one is really an unknown in international cricket these days given the franchise game and accessibility of footage, it is worth noting Australia have never faced Matheesha Pathirana, this generation’s slinger, although in all T20s only Marsh from a potential top order has been dismissed by him. Glenn Maxwell has 26 runs off ten balls against him, Tim David 21 off 12.

Left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Sunith Wellalage has yet to play a T20I against Australia, but in ODIs he has had quite the time of it with 16 wickets at 20.12 from eight matches which included making his debut as a 19-year-old in 2022. Eleven of those wickets have come at the Premadasa, in five matches, compared to four in two games at Pallekele, but Australia have not always combated left-arm spin well. He has started the tournament with tidy figures of 1 for 28 and 1 for 17. He shapes as even more important given the tournament ending injury to Wanidu Hasaranga and the uncertain form of Dushan Hemantha who went for 45 against Oman.

Tim David’s elevation up the order was a key part of Australia’s planning for this tournament during 2025 when their T20 game clicked nicely. But the hamstring injury he picked up on Boxing Day for Hobart Hurricanes put a spanner in works because it has left David short of match time. He wasn’t ready for the series in Pakistan and was left out against Ireland. Facing Zimbabwe, he picked out short fine leg second ball as part of the powerplay collapse. If Australia are to go deep in this tournament, David will need to fire.

Sri Lanka have a couple of issues to ponder. One is whether they stick with Hemantha or bring in an extra seamer, Pramod Madushan. Another option would be to alter the balance of the side and include Charith Asalanka as a spin-bowling allrounder. Kamil Mishara’s spot could be under pressure after a couple of low scores with Kusal Perera an alternative.

Sri Lanka (possible)  Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara,  Kusal Mendis (wk),  Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kamindu Mendis,  Dunith Wellalage,  Dushan Hemantha/Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera,  Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

The word from the Australia camp is that Marsh has improved and could come into contention but he will have to get through training on Sunday. Stoinis has avoided serious injury after the blow to the hand while bowling against Zimbabwe. Steven Smith is now with the squad but has not been officially added, although there is still time before facing Sri Lanka. If Marsh is fit, a big call will need to be made on who misses out given Matt Renshaw has impressed. It could come down to between Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green unless the selectors opt for just three specialist bowlers.

Australia (possible)  Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head,  Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David,  Matt Renshaw,  Marcus Stoinis,  Glenn Maxwell,  Xavier Bartlett,  Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa,  Matt Kuhnemann

[Cricinfo]