Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, SL vs AFG, Today Match Prediction 04 June 2023

sl vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

The Sri Lankan team will feel the heat after losing the first game of the three-match series by 6 wickets. They must win this one to level the series against a confident Afghanistan. Their fragile batting line-up hurt them in the last game, and the bowling attack couldn't get the early breakthroughs. The hosts would like to put it behind in this game.  

Sri Lankans are tough to beat at home and will look to make a strong comeback. Afghanistan's top order looked in excellent form in the last game, and the bowling attack also troubled the Sri Lankans. They would look to draw inspiration from that win. We expect this game to go down the wire as both teams will come hard at each other. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

Dasun Shanaka shall like his players to overcome the last game's loss. They lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to build partnerships. Their new ball bowlers looked ineffective, allowing the Afghan batters to leave the game. With their pride and prestige at stake, Shanaka would like to throw all they have in this game and avoid their first series loss against Afghanistan.  

Pathum Nissanka started well in the last game, and the side will expect him to put up a big partnership with Dimuth Karunaratne. Charith Asalanka played a brilliant knock in the last game and must build partnerships with Kusal Mendis and Angelo Matthews. Dhananjaya de Silva will feel confident, and he has to score runs with Shanaka and Dushan Hemantha.  

Wanindu Hasaranga's injury has hurt the balance of the bowling attack. Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara must bowl tight spells in the early overs. Matheesha Pathirana will have an important role in this game, along with Dhananjaya de Silva, in the middle overs. Dushan Hemantha and Shanaka must do well in the supporting role.

 

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

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

Sri Lanka 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

Afghanistan Preview

Hashmatullah Shahidi will feel proud of his players' performance in the last game. They were the underdogs but dominated the game from the start. The team is on the verge of creating history and winning its first ODI series against Sri Lanka. Shahidi would like to go for the kill and expect a good show from his players.  

Ibrahim Zadran was unlucky to have missed a well-deserved hundred and will look to provide a positive start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Rahmat Shah played well, and so did Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi in the middle order, making them confident. The side will also expect runs from Najibullah Zadran and  Azmatullah Omarzai in the lower middle order.  

Fazalhaq Farooqi and Omarzai come here after a strong performance, and they will look to trouble Sri Lanka's struggling batting line-up. Rashid Khan is out with an injury, and the onus will be on Mujeeb ur Rahman and Noor Ahmed to bowl well in the middle overs. Mohammad Nabi and Fareed Ahmed make it a strong bowling attack.

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

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

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be cloudy skies over Hambantota on June 4. We expect a slow batting surface where the ball will stop on the batsmen. The ball will move a bit due to the weather and may create doubts in the batsmen's minds. The side batting first would be happy to have 290 runs or more on the board. 

Venue Details

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota, is generally a good batting surface. The ball turns and stops on the batters, and spinners have done well on this track. It is one of the toughest wickets for fast bowlers, but the weather can offer them some assistance.

Toss: To Bowl

The wicket wasn't great for batting at the start of the last game. It eased as the game progressed, and both captains will have this on their minds at the toss. The side winning the toss should have no hesitation in bowling first.