SL vs AFG 1st ODI Match Prediction

SL vs AFG Team Previews

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is not taking any chances and has picked its strongest squad for this series. The team will be led by Dasun Shanaka who has been going through a bit of a bad patch recently. The batting is strong on paper. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Charith Asalanka are the players we expect to see in the lineup. 

That gives them plenty of experience and depth. 

Wanindu Hasaranga is the main bowler of the Sri Lankan lineup but his record against the better teams has not been great. This series will be a test for him to show that is still a force to be reckoned with. Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, and Pramod Madushan are the other bowlers that will round out the Sri Lanka attack. 

The fact that Sri Lanka is playing in home conditions is the biggest advantage that they have. 

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Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a lot of players that have done well in T20 cricket around the world but we think the ODI format is where it is the most comfortable. Its batters can take their time getting set and the bowlers also have more time to work over the opposition. 

Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are the batters that will be tasked with getting the bulk of the runs. For some reason, Mohammad Nabi has not been as prolific with the bat at the international level as he has been at the franchise level. Still, he and Rashid Khan add a lot of depth to the side. 

The bowling lineup is well-established with Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb ur Rahman as the spin threats. Fareed Malik and Fazalhaq Farooqi are impressive fast bowlers that are both making a name for themselves as well.