SL vs AFG Today Match Prediction- Only Test, Who Will Win Today’s Test Match? 2024

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The SL vs AFG-only Test match will be played in Colombo from February 2-6. The Test match kickstarts an all-format series between the two teams. This is the first-ever Test match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. The Afghan side have played just seven Test matches overall.

Afghanistan gained their Test status in 2018 and played their first-ever Test match against India. Since then, they have a cumulative experience of seven Test matches all of which they lost. They will be challenged by Sri Lanka at home as the Afghans are seeking for their maiden Test win.

The ACB named a 16-member Test squad with Rashid Khan rested as he is still recovering from his lower back surgery. He missed the T20I series against India as well. Afghanistan have handed maiden call-ups to right-arm quick Naveed Zadran and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq. Uncapped batter Noor Ali Zadran and left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman were also named in the 16-man squad for the Colombo Test. Not too many players of this squad have played Test cricket before.

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Sri Lanka too have named a 16-member Test squad for the only Test match. They will be led by Dhananjaya de Silva their new Test skipper. They have a mix of youth and experience on the side. Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandinal were recalled for the Test side. This strengthens their batting unit. Kusal Mendis, de Silva, and opener Dimuth Karunaratne form the core of the batting unit.

Sri Lanka played their last Test series against Pakistan and are yet to get points on board for this edition of the World Test Championship. They are placed last on the points table as of now. They have a good chance to notch up a big win and get their campaign started.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have played 12 ODIs with Sri Lanka winning seven and Afghanistan four. Afghanistan recently defeated the Lankans in the ODI World Cup in India. They won four games and one of them was against Sri Lanka. Given their rise in white-ball in recent times, the white-ball leg is expected to be an even contest.

The absence of Afghanistan’s white-ball specialists weakens their batting and bowling unit for the one off Test. Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran now become their two best batters who will need to bat out of their skins to win the Test for their side.

ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf spoke about his team playing their first Test match against Sri Lanka who have a rich heritage of Test cricket. Afghanistan is slotted to play a few Test matches in 2024 starting with the match against Sri Lanka and the ACB chairman is hopeful that the team will count on their chances.

Recent Venue Records (Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo)

STATS – TEST

Total matches 44

Matches won batting first 16

Matches won bowling first 14

Average 1st Inns scores 328

Average 2nd Inns scores 349

Average 3rd Inns scores 276

Average 4th Inns scores 186

Highest total recorded 756/5 (185.1 Ov) by SL vs RSA

Lowest total recorded 81/10 (28.1 Ov) by SL vs ENG

Who Will Score Most Runs For Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews / Kusal Mendis

Who Will Take Most Wickets For Sri Lanka: Kasun Rajitha / Asitha Fernando

Who Will Score Most Runs For Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah / Ibrahim Zadran

Who Will Take Most Wickets For Afghanistan: Zia-ur-Rehman / Naveed Zadran