Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2023: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan – 2nd ODI Preview and Updates

Cricket

After losing the first game of the three-match series by six wickets, the Sri Lankan team will be feeling the heat. They must win this game to tie the series against a determined Afghanistan. Their shaky batting lineup hurt them in the previous game, and the bowling attack struggled to get early wickets. The hosts hope to put it behind them in this game.

The Sri Lankans are difficult to beat at home and will attempt to make a strong comeback. Afghanistan’s top order looked in fine form in the previous game, and the bowling attack also caused problems for the Sri Lankans. They would look for inspiration from that victory. We expect this game to be close because both teams will attack each other hard.

The 2nd ODI between Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan will take place on June 4th, 2023 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota.

Match Details to Note

Match: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI, Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka, 2023

Date: June 04, 2023 (Sunday)

Time: 10:00 AM IST

Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan

Sri Lanka (Match Odds – 1.57):

Preview:

Dasun Shanaka will want his players to bounce back from their loss in the previous game. They were losing wickets at regular intervals and were unable to form partnerships. Their new ball bowlers were ineffective, and the Afghan batters were forced to leave the game. Shanaka would like to put everything they have into this game in order to avoid their first series loss against Afghanistan.

Pathum Nissanka started well in the previous game, and the team expects him to form a strong partnership with Dimuth Karunaratne. Charith Asalanka delivered a brilliant knock in the previous game and will need to form partnerships with Kusal Mendis and Angelo Matthews. Dhananjaya de Silva will be upbeat, and he will need to score runs alongside Shanaka and Dushan Hemantha.

Wanindu Hasaranga’s injury has harmed the bowling attack’s balance. In the early overs, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara must bowl tight spells. Matheesha Pathirana, along with Dhananjaya de Silva, will be crucial in the middle overs of this game. Dushan Hemantha and Shanaka must perform admirably in supporting roles.

Full Squad:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana

Players to watch out for:

Pathum Nissanka

In his ODI career, the opener has now hit 90 fours. He is one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent batters in all formats.

Charith Asalanka

The 25-year-old left-hander hit 12 fours as he led Sri Lanka with 91 runs from 95 balls in the series opener.

Kasun Rajitha

In Friday’s ODI, the pace bowler dismissed Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi, giving him 28 wickets in 19 ODIs.

Possible 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

Afghanistan (Match Odds – 2.40):

Preview:

Hashmatullah Shahidi will be pleased with his team’s performance in the previous game. They were the underdogs, but they dominated from the start. The team is on the verge of making history by winning its first one-day international series against Sri Lanka. Shahidi wishes to go for the kill and anticipates a strong performance from his teammates.

Ibrahim Zadran was unlucky to miss out on a well-deserved hundred and will look to get things going with Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Rahmat Shah performed admirably, as did Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi in the middle order, giving them confidence. The lower middle order will also see runs from Najibullah Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai.

Fazalhaq Farooqi and Omarzai will look to trouble Sri Lanka’s struggling batting lineup. Rashid Khan is out due to injury, so it will be up to Mujeeb ur Rahman and Noor Ahmed to perform well in the middle overs. Mohammad Nabi and Fareed Ahmed lead the bowling attack.

Full Squad:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Ikram Alikhil

Players to watch out for:

Ibrahim Zadran

After hitting 11 fours and two sixes before being caught on the deep backward square boundary, the young opener was named Player of the Match.

Mohammad Nabi

In Friday’s game, the all-rounder batted in both innings. He was at the wicket for the winning runs after dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

In Friday’s game, the all-rounder batted in both innings. He was at the wicket for the winning runs after dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva.

Possible 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

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Head to Head

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Head to Head Stats in ODI

	Matches Played	SL Won	AFG Won	Tie	NR
Overall	8	4	3	0	1
Last 5	5	2	2	0	1

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Toss Prediction

At the start of the previous game, the wicket wasn’t ideal for batting. It eased as the game progressed, and both captains will be thinking about it at the coin toss. The team that wins the toss should not hesitate to bowl first.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Pitch Report

The batting surface at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota is generally good. Spinners have done well on this track because the ball turns and stops on the batters. It is one of the most difficult wickets for fast bowlers, but the weather can help them.

On June 4, the skies over Hambantota would be cloudy. We anticipate a slow batting surface with the ball stopping on the batsmen. The ball will move slightly due to the weather, which may cause the batsmen to doubt themselves. The team batting first would be content with 290 runs or more.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Prediction

Sri Lanka will face pressure. Their batsmen appeared rusty in their previous game, and they are without their most experienced spinner due to injury. They must form alliances in order to confront the confident Afghans. Afghanistan has a strong spin attack and a strong top order. It will be a close race. Check out the odds at Cricbaba!

Sri Lanka is the favourite to beat Afghanistan at the odds of 1.57.