Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Prediction: Sri Lanka were outclassed by Bangladesh in the first game

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are going head to head in the nineth warmup game of the World Cup 2023 at ACA Stadium, Kamrup Metropolitan, India on 3rd October. Sri Lanka were outclassed by Bangladesh in the first game. Will they come back strong and get a win before the start of the world cup? Who will win this game?

Afghanistan's participation in the ODI World Cup is only their third appearance, and their previous performances in the tournament have been less than impressive. Out of the 15 matches they have played in the marquee event, they have managed to win just one. However, they do possess the potential to be a threat on the slower, spin-friendly wickets of India, thanks to their formidable spin attack.

Their first warm-up match against South Africa was abandoned due to rain, but Afghanistan will be looking to maximize their preparations in this fixture. As mentioned earlier, their spin department stands as their greatest strength in this tournament. Rashid Khan will once again play a pivotal role in Afghanistan's bowling lineup, with valuable support coming from Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Afghanistan has also included Noor Ahmad in their squad, who showcased his talent in the recent IPL. While their batting has been a vulnerability in the past, they have found promise in the form of openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who aim to provide a strong start for the team.

However, their pace bowling options appear limited. Fazalhaq Farooqi, with 21 ODIs under his belt, is their most experienced seamer, and he will receive support from Naveen Ul-Haq, Abdul Rahman, and Azmatullah Omarzai.

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad/ Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Sri Lanka has experienced a rollercoaster ride in their recent ODI performances. They enjoyed a remarkable 13-match winning streak, but their fortunes took a sharp downturn when they faced India in the Asia Cup Finals, delivering one of their weakest performances.

This setback has left Sri Lanka's World Cup preparations in a state of uncertainty. In their first warm-up match, they faced Bangladesh and encountered another disheartening defeat.

Unfortunately, injuries have plagued the Sri Lankan team lately, with two key players, Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga, sidelined. This absence deals a significant blow to their bowling unit. On the other hand, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, and Dilshan Madushanka are returning from injuries, and their recovery progress remains a matter of concern.

In this context, there will be added pressure on Matheesha Pathirana and Kasun Rajitha to step up and perform. Dunith Wellalage, who had a promising outing in the Asia Cup, could be a crucial all-rounder for the team. Speaking of all-rounders, Sri Lanka boasts several options, including Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, and Dasun Shanaka. However, their recent form has been inconsistent, and they will have one final opportunity to find their rhythm.

Turning to the batting department, Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka made a strong start in the last match, although Perera had to retire due to discomfort in his shoulder. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis will be pivotal middle-order batsmen for Sri Lanka.

Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage/Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Pathum Nissanka

The team that wins the toss is expected to choose to bat first. Guwahati's pitch is conducive to batting and has witnessed several high-scoring ODIs. The team batting first will aim to set a target of over 300 runs to give their bowlers a reasonable chance of defending it. The pitch offers consistent bounce and facilitates clean ball-to-bat contact. However, spinners may find some assistance in the latter part of the match.

The weather is predicted to remain cloudy, with potential rain throughout the day. Although Sri Lanka hasn't been in the best form over the past few weeks, this match presents them with an excellent opportunity for a comeback. Afghanistan, despite having some talented individuals, has struggled as a team, and we anticipate their difficulties continuing.

Consider placing a bet on Sri Lanka to emerge victorious.