Afghanistan will lock horns against Sri Lanka in the 30th match of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Monday. With ICC announcing that the top seven teams (plus Pakistan) of the ongoing World Cup, will automatically qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy, these two teams will want to rise in the standings.
While Afghanistan stunned Pakistan in the last game, Sri Lanka shocked England in their previous match convincingly by eight wickets. We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for Afghanistan: W L W L L
Afghanistan came up with an inspiring batting performance as their top order delivered the goods against Pakistan. The spin battery has been Afghanistan’s strength and they will look to exploit the conditions in Pune against Sri Lanka.
Current form for Sri Lanka: W W L L L
Sri Lanka has bagged two crucial wins in their last two matches against the Netherlands and England. However, their injury woes are getting manifold as Lahiru Kumara has been ruled out and thus Dushmantha Chameera is named as his replacement.
Head to Head: Matches: 11, Won by Sri Lanka: 7, Won by Afghanistan: 3, NR: 1.
Players to look out for: Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi will be the crucial players for Afghanistan.
Maheesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Charith Asalanka will be the key players for Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.
Sri Lanka Squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne
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