SL vs AFG Match Preview- 1st ODI, 2024

The SL vs AFG 1st T20I will be played in Pallekele on February 9, Friday. The match starts at 2.30 pm IST. All the matches will be played in Pallekele starting from 2.30 pm IST. 

Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 10 wickets in the Only Test in Colombo. The Lankan first-innings score of 439 was a bit too much for Afghanistan who scored 196 and 292 in the two innings of the Test match. 

After the one-off Test match this SL vs AFG ODI series is expected to be a much more competitive series. Sri Lanka last played against Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup where the Afghans defeated the Lankans. 

Heading into this game, Afghanistan have played 12 ODI matches against Sri Lanka winning four and losing seven matches. They have a chance to add to this tally in this series. In four T20Is, SL have won three and AFG one. 

Sri Lanka recently played against Zimbabwe in an ODI and T20I series at home. They won the ODI series 2-0 and the T20I series 2-1. Despite the series win, the hosts were tested by the visiting Zimbabwean team. Thus the side is vulnerable in home conditions as well and this is where Afghanistan have an opportunity. 

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SL vs AFG Match Preview- 1st ODI, 2024

Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka will be led by Kusal Mendis their new ODI skipper. He won his maiden ODI series as captain against Zimbabwe and now has to face the challenge from Afghanistan. They have a full-strength squad with their key spinner Hasaranga and Theekshana available. Both were recently playing in the ILT20 league. 

Their batting is looked after by skipper Mendis alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama, Aviskha Fernando, Charith Asalanka and opener Pathum Nissanka. The strength for Sri Lanka lies in their spinners and in the absence of Rashid Khan in the opposition. 

Sri Lanka Squad 

Kusal Mendis (c), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga

Afghanistan 

Afghanistan will be led by Hasmatullah Shahidi. He will miss the services of ace spinner Rashid Khan in the series who is still recovering from his lower back surgery. This allows fringe spinners Noor Ahmad and Qais Ahmad to hog the limelight perform for the team and win them matches. Fazalhaq Farooqi will lead the pace attack but is spin that will dictate terms against the opposition. 

The batting will be led by Ibrahim Zadran who recently scored a century in the one-off Test. He will have the likes of Rahmat Shah and skipper Hasmatullah for company. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is also back in the side after his stint with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20. He and Ibrahim need to give the team a good start. Nabi, Gulbadin, and Zamatullah Omarzai are three good all-rounders in the side. 

Afghanistan have the necessary ammunition to challenge Sri Lanka in their backyard and start 2024 with a series win. Pallekele does prepare good wickets for batting and the Afghanistan batters need to ensure that they give their bowlers a good total to defend. 

Afghanistan Squad 

Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad

Reserves: Sharafuddin Ashraf, Shahidullah, Abdul Rahman, Bilal Sami

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