SL vs AFG Match Preview
The Sri Lankan batting is going to be led by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendia. Both of them are excellent white-ball players with Nissanka quickly becoming the primary batter of the Sri Lankan side. The middle order boasts of players like Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, anmd Chamika Karunaratne.
Even Wanindu Hasaranga is a capable batter.
In terms of depth, Sri Lanka is well covered. We like Dhananjaya de Silva as a potential top-scorer for Sri Lanka in this match because he is so good against spin.
The bowling unit for Sri Lanka looks a bit thin in terms of experience and even quality. Kasun Rajitha and Dushmanth Chameera are expected to play as the fast-bowlers with Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana as the spinners.
The fifth bowler could be a combination of all-rounders like Karunaratne, Shanaka, Mathews, or Dhanajaya de Silva.
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and Hashmatullah Shahidi are the three leading ODI batters in the lineup while someone like Rahmanullah Gurbaz is obviously very dangerous as well.
Rashid Khan not being available is a big loss but Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb ur Rahman should be able to compensate for his absence. With Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Malik to lead the bowling lineup, Afghanistan's bowling attack is very strong.
Weather Report
There is some rain around in Hambantota and we may have some interruptions.
Pitch Report
The pitch is usually very good for batting. It is flat, a bit slow, and on the whole high-scoring. Scores of around 280-300 should be seen as being par.
Notable stats
SL holds an advantage over Afghanistan
Sri Lanka has won four out of the six matches it has played against Afghanistan. Unlike in T20's where the contest is much closer, it looks like Sri Lanka has the better of Afghanistan when it comes to ODI cricket.
Team News
Rashid Khan has been ruled out of the first two matches but apart from that, there are no surprises or injury concerns.
SL vs AFG Probable 11
SL Playing 11
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Mendis (Wk)
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Angelo Mathews
- Charith Asalanka
- Dasun Shanaka (C)
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Chamika Karunaratne
- Dushmanth Chameera
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Kasun Rajitha
AFG Playing 11
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wk)
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)
- Najibullah Zadran
- Mohammad Nabi
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mujeeb ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
- Fareed Malik
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Dream11 Prediction
We think Sri Lanka is likely to win against Afghaniatsn thanks to its superior batting lineup. The bowling attack of both teams is decent but Afghanistan has more mystery and may pull off a couple of surprises. Will it be enough to win, though? We don't think so. Sri Lanka should win this contest.
Top Picks
Kusal Mendis - Mendis has been around for almost ten years in international cricket but only just seems to be achieving his tru potential. His opening partnership woth Pathum Nissanka is very successful and will be the basis on which Sri Lanka looks to build.
Fazalhaq Farooqi - The rapid left-hand pacer can get some help from the surface and make life tough for the batters. He is someone that can pick up wickets with the new ball or at the death.
Dhananjaya de Silva - He is likely to be very low-owned and can be a differentiator for the team. He bats in the top order and can often bowl a couple of overs.
SL vs AFG Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: K Mendis (C), R Gurbaz
Batters: R Shah, H Shahidi, C Asalanka, I Zadran, P Nissanka
All-rounders: D de Silva (VC), W Hasaranga, C Karunaratne
Bowlers: F Farooqi
