SL vs AFG – 1st ODI Prediction 02 Jun 2023

On Friday, June 2, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will go head-to-head in an exciting three-match ODI series.

• The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, will host the first ODI, and it’s worth noting that all three matches will take place at this venue.
• The hosts will enter the series after a disappointing 2-0 ODI series loss to New Zealand.
• In contrast, Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, has been in impressive form recently, and they are expected to provide a tough challenge to the hosts.

SL vs AFG – 1st ODI – Match Details

Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

Date: June 2nd 2023

Time: 10:00 (local)

SL vs AFG – 1st ODI – Team Previews

Sri Lanka

In an effort to recover from a disappointing 60-run defeat that resulted in Afghanistan securing automatic qualification for this year’s World Cup at the expense of the 1996 champions, Sri Lanka is fielding a revamped team in the upcoming match on Friday.

The squad includes some surprising decisions, such as the reinstatement of former captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who was previously dropped, and the return of Angelo Mathews, who has been absent for a long time. Both players are likely to feature, along with the promising 20-year-old fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, who arrives with confidence after an impressive performance for Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s successful IPL team.

Dasun Shanaka’s team will have the opportunity to test their bench strength in this series leading up to the ICC World Cup. They come into this contest after consecutive series losses against India and New Zealand. Finding the right combination has been a challenge for the side, making this series crucial for them. It is important for them to play to their strengths and capitalize on home conditions in order to take an early lead in the series.

Afghanistan

Hashmatullah Shahidi and his team are returning to the ODI format after a long break and they will be eager to get back into action. They managed to level the last ODI series against Sri Lanka, which will give them a boost of confidence. However, they are aware that playing against Sri Lanka in their home conditions is a challenging task, and Shahidi will expect a strong performance from his players.

The middle order of the Afghan team has gained valuable experience, and they will rely on Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran to deliver consistent performances. Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi has been in good form and can make a significant impact in the ODI series. With 17 wickets in his last 10 matches, the 22-year-old has emerged as an important player for Afghanistan.

Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah have been scoring runs in domestic cricket, and Shah had a successful tour of Sri Lanka last year. Mohammad Nabi remains a key player in the lower middle-order, providing stability amidst the unpredictability of the Afghan top order. Azmatullah Omarzai has also had decent performances in the domestic season, adding further depth to the team.

SL vs AFG – 1st ODI – Probable Playing XI’s

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (Cap), Pathum Nissanka, K Mendis (wk), A Mathews, De Silva, Charith Asalanka, W Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, K Rajitha, M Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara

Afghanistan: H Shahidi (Cap), Rashid Khan, Mujib ur Rahman, R Gurbaz (wk), I Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Mohd Nabi, F Farooqi, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ahmed, Azmatullah Omarzai

SL vs AFG – 1st ODI – Pitch Report and Toss Prediction

The pitch at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium is anticipated to offer a fair balance between bat and ball, providing an equal contest for both teams. Considering the conditions, winning the toss and opting to bowl first, with the intention of later chasing the target, could prove to be a strategic choice.

SL vs AFG – 1st ODI – Win Prediction

Sri Lanka are clear favourites for this game and should be able to beat Afghanistan at home.