Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match prediction: Sri Lanka to win
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka toss prediction: Afghanistan to win the toss and bat first
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will be up against each other in this Group B fixture of the Asia Cup on September 5th. The contest is set to take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Sri Lanka are coming off a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in their first game while Afghanistan are scheduled to face Bangladesh on September 3rd. Who will advance to the Super four stage? Read below our Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match prediction.
Sri Lanka registered a fairly comfortable victory in their first game on the back of a strong bowling performance. They bowled out Bangladesh for just 164 before the middle order sailed them through.
Date & time: September 5, 3:00 PM IST
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Read also: Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma extends praise to Pakistan ahead of high-stakes game
Contents
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match preview
Afghanistan
Afghanistan have had a good fifty-over action in the last couple of months, facing Bangladesh and Pakistan. They toured Bangladesh in July and recorded an impressive series win by 2-1. They won the first game by 17 runs on DLS method and followed it up with a 142-run hammering.
More recently, they played against Pakistan in Sri Lanka late August but suffered a 0-3 defeat. Afghanistan were in a winning position but lost by one wicket on the penultimate ball.
Talking about the possible XI, Afghanistan will have a spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi. Abdul Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi are likely to be the frontline pacers.
Afghanistan's head coach Jonathon Trott addressed the press conference this afternoon at the GSL on the team's preparations for the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2023.#AfghanAtalan | #AsiaCup2023 | #SuperCola | #WakhtDyDaBarya https://t.co/Iu4yF0kpMO
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 1, 2023
Afghanistan Playing 11: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan bowlers were outstanding in their first game of the tournament, led by Matheesha Pathirana's 4 for 32 in 7.4 overs. Maheesh Theekshana also bagged 2 for 19 off his eight overs. They lost three early wickets but Sadeera Samarawickrama scored a fifty while Charith Asalanka made an unbeaten 62 to see his side over the line.
Sri Lanka have had to deal with several injury blows. After the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara were out injured, Sri Lanka's bowling attack comprised Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage.
WATCH: Sri Lanka Team Sets Off for Pakistan, Clash with Afghanistan in Lahore on September 5th! #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/Q5d7TnXpps
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 1, 2023
Sri Lanka Possible 11: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana
Pitch and Expected Weather Conditions
The pitches at Gaddafi Stadium are generally pretty flat with batters finding good success. The average first innings at Lahore reads 251 after 69 ODIs. Three matches were played here last year, with the team batting first posting over 310 twice.
Looking at the weather forecast, the match should go ahead without any interruption. It is expected to be warm and hazy on September 5th with no threat of rain. The temperature will be in the mid to high 30 degrees.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Dream11 prediction
Our Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Dream11 predictions for this match:
- Wicket keepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka
- All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva
- Bowlers: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Recommended captain: Matheesha Pathirana
- Recommended vice-captain: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Given the lack of great quality in both batting departments, it is wise to go heavy on bowlers. We have picked three bowling options from each team with Dhananjaya de Silva also adding batting value. As for the captaincy picks, Matheesha Pathirana is coming off a four-wicket haul and you can expect him to come good in this game. Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been in pretty good form with the bat and he'll be our vice-captain.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match prediction: Sri Lanka to win
Afghanistan have the side to compete well and can't be underestimated. Sri Lanka are on a 11-match winning streak in ODI cricket. Despite suffering several losses in the bowling unit, they still have enough quality especially with Matheesha Pathirana living up to his potential straight away. Back Sri Lanka to win this match.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka toss prediction: Afghanistan to win the toss and bat first
Lahore doesn't have any bias for the team batting first or second. Afghanistan are a side that usually prefer posting score on the board and getting their spinners in the game in the second innings.
Man of the match prediction: Matheesha Pathirana
The Sri Lankan fast bowler has the pace, can bowl yorkers and has an overall skill set to trouble the batters. He was brilliant in the previous game, picking 4 for 32. Our player of the match prediction is for Matheesha Pathirana to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka betting odds
- Afghanistan odds: 2.00
- Sri Lanka odds: 1.50
