AFG vs SL Match Preview
As far as the Sri Lankan batting line-up is concerned, the team will depend on batters such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Ibrahim Zadran, the all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, and the skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi to score most of the runs. In his last game in the World Cup, Ibrahim Zadran was the outstanding performer for Afghanistan with the bat. He was instrumental in finishing the game for Afghanistan with a top score of 87 runs from 113 balls. He hit 10 fours in the process. He was well-aided by Rahmanullah Gurbaz who scored 65 runs from 53 balls with one six and 9 boundaries.
Apart from Gurbaz and Zadran, the other batter who did well and was in form was Rahmat Shah for Afghanistan. He smashed an unbeaten 77 runs from 84 balls with 2 sixes and 5 fours. He was well-supported by their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi who put together 48 runs from 45 balls with the help of 4 fours. As far as the bowling department is concerned the Afghan team will depend on bowlers such as Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, and Rashid Khan to pick up wickets.
The Sri Lankan team on the other hand will rely on batters such as the veteran opening batsman Kusal Perera, and Pathum Nissanka. Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Matthews, and the skipper Kusal Mendis get vital breakthroughs. In their last game against England, the Sri Lankan opening batter Pathum Nissanka batted well for Lanka and finished the inning with a top score of 77 runs not out from 83 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. He was well-supported in this endeavor by Samarawickrama who hit a terrific 65 not out from 54 balls with 1 six and 7 fours.
As far as the Sri Lankan bowling is concerned, the team will depend on the likes of Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Matthews, Maheesh Theeksana, Dilshan Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara to get vital breakthroughs. In his last game, the seamer Lahiru Kumara was the best bowler on the show for the Lankans and collected a haul of 3 wickets for 35 runs from his 7 overs. Apart from Kumara, Angelo Matthews, and Kasun Rajitha also bowled well to pick up 2 wickets each. Angelo Matthews was also quite economical in his spell giving away just 14 runs from his 5 overs.
Weather Report
There is a chance of rain coming down during the game. You are likely to get partly cloudy conditions during this match. The temperature during the game is likely to hover between 26 degrees and 29 degrees. The relative humidity during this match will be close to 70%.
Pitch Report
If you look at the last 5 games played in Pune at this venue, you will find that the games have been high-scoring ones. The surface on offer is suitable for batters for the most part. But the spinners might have a thing or two to say about the conditions. Both these teams have some good ones up their sleeve.
Notable stats
Kusal Mendis has a good batting record in recent games for Sri Lanka.
Kusal Mendis has scored 494 runs from his last 10 appearances for Sri Lanka with an average of 49.4.
Dilshan Madushanka has a great record in recent games for Sri Lanka.
Madushanka has picked up 11 victims from his last 5 games with a strike rate of 23.45.
Team News
There are no injury updates available for either team. So, the entire team will be available for selection in this game.
AFG vs SL Probable 11
AFG Playing 11
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmat Shah
- Ikram Alikhil (Wk)
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Noor Ahmad
SL Playing 11
- Kusal Mendis (C)
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Perera
- Charith Asalanka
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Angelo Mathews
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Kasun Rajitha
- Lahiru Kumara
- Dilshan Madushanka
Dream11 Prediction
The Sri Lankan team is looking to build momentum after beating the 2019 champions England in a recent game. They also have a good record against Afghanistan in ODIs. So, we reckon Sri Lanka will win this game and improve their position in the points table.
Top Picks
Kusal Mendis: Mendis has been in great form for Sri Lanka in their recent games putting together 494 runs from his last 10 appearances for Sri Lanka with a strike rate of 108.57.
Sadeera Samarawickrama: Samarawickrama has scored 456 runs from his last 10 games with an average of 57 and a strike rate of 103.4.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Gurbaz has put together 403 runs from his last 10 matches for Afghanistan with an average of 40.3 and a strike rate of 89.75.
Dilshan Madushanka: Madushanka has picked up 11 scalps from his last 5 matches with a strike rate of 23.45.
AFG vs SL Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: K Mendis (C)
Batters: S Samarawickrama, R Gurbaz (VC), I Zadran, P Nissanka
All-rounders: A Matthews, M Nabi, A Omarzai
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, K Rajitha, D Madhushanka