Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, SL vs AFG, Today Match Prediction 30 November 2022

sl vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

The third and final ODI between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 30th November from 2:30 pm. Afghanistan have maintained their 1-0 lead after the second ODI was called off after rain forced the abandonment of the second innings and hence the game. With a win, Afghanistan can clinch the series in Sri Lanka for the first time. 

Afghanistan stunned the hosts in the first ODI by 60 runs. Batting first, Afghanistan put 294 runs on the board after a strong display from the top order. Ibrahim Zadran’s second century was the main attraction of the game. Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka (85) tried his best to get things under control for Sri Lanka with Wanindu Hasaranga (66). But Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 4 for 49 destroyed Lanka’s hopes as they fell 60 runs short.

The second game got washed out after Afghanistan were bowled out for 228 in the first innings with the help of Rahamanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah’s 113 runs stand. With the washout, Afghanistan became the seventh team to secure a direct birth to the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 and left Sri Lanka on edge. Therefore, the series finale has become a treasure for the hosts to save the series and keep the hopes for the direct qualification alive.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

The loss in the first game has exposed Sri Lanka's batting problems once again. Except for Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka, none are helping Lanka to put runs on the target. Nissanka will have a huge responsibility on his shoulder. He is our choice for the top batter. Nissanka is Lanka’s highest run scorer this year, with 456 runs at an average of 50.66. He has scored 304 runs at the Pallekele International Stadium with the same average in the last 7 innings and has 4 half-centuries in it. 

Charith Asalanka has improved a lot while batting in the middle. The all-rounder has 343 runs this year at an average of 42.87 with the bat and 10 wickets at an economy of 5.80. Besides Nissanka, Asalanka, and Kusal Mendis, the entire Sri Lankan batting average is below 30 (counting players who played 5 or more games this year). This is the main reason Sri Lanka has just two 300-plus scores in the last 9 games.

Kasun Rajitha will lead the pace attack with Lahiru Kumara. Rajitha took 3 wickets in the second ODI for 31 runs. Maheesh Theeksana and Wanindu Hasaranga will be the spin choices. The duo has 17 wickets in 5 ODIs played this year and has an economy of just above 5. Hasaranga will be our choice for the final game.

Key Players: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Dhananjaya de Silva, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Dasun Shanaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanidu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Dunith Wellalage

Afghanistan Preview

Afghanistan’s top order is on fire. Rahamanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, and Ibrahim Zadran have been in terrific form. Gurbaz and Shah scored back-to-back half-centuries, while Zadran scored his second international hundred in the first ODI. The trio has two hundred runs partnerships and a fifty-plus (84) run partnership in two ODIs of the series. It will be difficult for the Lankan bowling attack to restrict Afghanistan to a low score. Besides that, Shah has scored a fifty in every two innings he played this year.

Skipper Shahidi and Najibullah Zadran will play in the middle order with Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi. Shahidi and Zadran have scored 629 runs in 11 matches at an average of above 37. Ex-skipper Naib played a crucial inning in the first ODI, followed by 3 wickets for just 34 runs. On the other hand, veteran Nabi scored some crucial runs in the second ODI. Overall, Afghanistan's middle order is standing up whenever needed.

Rashid Khan and Fazallah Farooqi will lead the bowling attack for Afghanistan. Khan is Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker this year. Though he has taken just 1 wicket in this series, 19 wickets in 11 ODIs played this year predicts a different picture. Fazallah Farroqi took 4 wickets in the first ODI and already has 17 wickets in 9 ODIs at an economy of 4.79. 

Key Players: Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan.

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather will be partly cloudy, with no rain. The temperature will range between 18 and 31°C. The wind will be flowing from the west at 4-5 kmh. The pitch is ideal for the spinners hence you can see more spinners available in both teams. The pitch assists better turn in the second innings.

Venue Details

The 3rd ODI of the series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 25th November from 2:30 pm. The venue holds a capacity of 35000 spectators and has hosted 9 Tests, 35 ODIs & 23 T20Is so far.

Toss: To Bat

In the 35 ODIS, the results have favored the team bowling first. 19 outcomes have gone with the team chasing the target. Surprisingly, the average 1st innings score is more than the second by 44 runs, bringing us to the stat that 4 out of the last 5 games & 7 out of the last 10 have been won by the team setting the target. The team winning the toss should bat first.