SL vs AFG, 1st ODI Preview

On Friday, the first of three one-day internationals between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan begins at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka last played an ODI in March, while Afghanistan last played in this format in November of last year. Sri Lanka enters this game after a poor ODI series in New Zealand, as well as some other poor results. However, at home, they are always a difficult opponent for any team. Afghanistan will be missing their best bowler in this match, but they still have a talented batting and bowling lineup. They never play from a defensive standpoint.

SL vs AFG, 1st ODI Details

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan – 1st ODI

Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium – Hambantota

Date & Time: 02nd June at 10:00 AM IST 

Live Streaming: SonyLIV app

SL vs AFG Venue Stats

Avg 1st inn score	251
Avg 2nd inn score	196
Win% batting 1st	38
Win% batting 2nd	62

SL vs AFG, 1st ODI Pitch Report

This is a good batting wicket, and whoever bats first should expect a par score of at least 300 in this game. Spinners frequently difficult to score runs off at this ground.

SL vs AFG Weather Report

The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies throughout the game, with humidity hovering around 70% from start to finish. Rain is not expected to fall during the game.

SL vs AFG Last Five Matches

SL ( Sri Lanka )	L L L L L
AFG ( Afghanistan )	L NR W W W

SL vs AFG Head-to-Head Stats

	Matches Played	SL Won	AFG Won	Tie	NR
Overall	7	4	3	0	1
Last 5	5	2	2	0	1

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

SL vs AFG, 1st ODI Probable Playing XIs:

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha

Afghanistan Probable Playing XIs

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahid (c), Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb ur Rahman

Topmost Picks for SL vs AFG Dream11 Prediction, 1st ODI:

Top Picks – Sri Lanka

• Pathum Nissanka – The 25 year old right-handed opener has hit a century in both ODI and Test cricket with his top score in this format coming against a very strong Australian side last year.
• Kasun Rajitha – The 29 year old did not play an ODI from the end of July 2019 to July 2021 but has gone wicketless in only one ODI across his 18-match career.

Top Picks – Afghanistan

• Ibrahim Zadran – This will be the 21 year old’s ninth ODI and he comes into this game after already having hit three centuries in this format.
• Fazalhaq Farooqi – The 22 year old left-arm pace bowler was unfortunate to play in only four matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2023 IPL. He has 17 ODI wickets from 10 games.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for SL vs AFG Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran(VC), Najibullah Zadran, Pathum Nissanka(C), Mohammad Nabi, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Matheesha Pathirana

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for SL vs AFG Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis(C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Pathum Nissanka, Mohammad Nabi(VC), Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Matheesha Pathirana

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis

Vice-captain – Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi

Wicketkeeper – Kusal Mendis

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Probable Winners:

After all of the excitement and big-hitting during the IPL, it will be interesting to see how some of the players adapt to this longer format but still white ball game. Gurbaz has only played 15 One-Day Internationals, but he has already scored three hundred and two half-centuries. Rashid Khan is a huge loss for Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka has an experienced team. Sri Lanka is expected to be stronger with both bat and ball and to win the match. Considering the team combination, Sri Lanka is expected to win this match.