Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, SL vs AFG, Today Match Prediction 02 June 2023

sl vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

Sri Lanka will aim for an early lead as they take on Afghanistan in the first game of the three-match series. This series will be important for both sides as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup. Sri Lanka has lost the last two ODI series, and they must strike form to build confidence. Afghanistan did well against Pakistan recently, and they will look to continue with the same form.  

Afghanistan hasn't had a great record against Sri Lanka, and their batsmen will face a tough challenge in these conditions. Sri Lanka has won five out of eight games at home. They have their spinners in good form. We expect a tight contest in this game, as both teams are well-matched.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

Dasun Shanaka's will have to test its bench strength in this series ahead of the ICC World Cup. They come here with back-to-back series losses against India and New Zealand. The side has struggled to get the right combination, and this series will be important for them. They must play to their strengths and use the home conditions to take an early lead in the series.  

Pathum Nissanka is the key batsman for the team, and he will look to start the innings on a positive note with Kusal Mendis. Angelo Mathews must bring his experience to play and do well in the middle order with Charith Asalanka and Shanaka. They will need contributions in the lower middle order from Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Wanindu Hasaranga.  

The bowlers will take on a hard-hitting batting line-up, and early spells from Kasun Rajitha and Dushmantha Chameera would be important. Matheesha Pathirana comes here with a good show in the IPL, and he will need to do well along with Wanindu Hasaranga. Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Shanaka add depth to this attack.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Dushan Hemantha, Lahiru Kumara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kasun Rajitha, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Matheesha Pathirana

Afghanistan Preview

Hashmatullah Shahidi and his men play this format after a long break and will look to get things moving. They had leveled the last ODI series against Sri Lanka, and the side will look to draw confidence from that series. Their opponents are tough to beat at home, and Shahidi will like a good show from his players.  

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will look to set up a strong opening wicket stand in this game. The middle order has gained experience, and they will expect a good show from Rahmat Shah, Shahidi, and Najibullah Zadran. Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and  Azmatullah Omarzai add firepower to the line-up in the lower middle order.  

Mujeeb ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi will aim for early wickets and try to put the hosts under pressure at the start of the game. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed did well during the IPL and will feel confident. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi will look to do well in the supporting role.

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rashid Khan, Mujib ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ahmed, Azmatullah Omarzai

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be partly cloudy skies over Hambantota. The weather would be hot and humid in the afternoon. We expect a good batting surface where batsmen can play their shots without fear and little in there for the bowlers. The side batting first would need to target a score above 320 runs to win here. 

Venue Details

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota's wicket is a paradise for the batsmen as the ball comes onto the bat nicely. It is one of the toughest wickets for the fast bowlers, with no assistance. Spinners who turn the ball can use the surface's slow nature and have done well in the past.

Toss: To Bat

The wicket at this venue is an absolute beauty to bat on, and we have seen teams put up big scores on the board. The ball won't move in the early overs. The side winning the toss here shouldn't hesitate to bat first.