Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will square off in the second One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on Sunday, June 4. The hosts suffered a six-wicket defeat against Afghanistan in the opening match of the series on June 2 at the same venue.
Batting first, Sri Lanka set a 269-run target for the visitors, thanks to Charith Asalanka’s crucial knock. He smashed 91 off 95 deliveries, including 12 boundaries. Apart from Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva contributed significantly to the Dasun Shanaka-led side, scoring 51 off 59 balls. Meanwhile, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmad picked two wickets while Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi grabbed one each for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan batters were instrumental during the chase as they chased down the target in 46.5 overs. Opener Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmath Shah were crucial for the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side, scoring 98 and 55 runs, respectively. Matheesha Pathirana got his maiden ODI wicket by dismissing Shah. Besides Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara picked two and one wicket, respectively.
If the visiting side continues to exhibit its dominant performance, they would have an excellent opportunity to clinch the series going forward.
Pitch and Conditions
It is a flat pitch that helps batters and bowlers equally regardless of the innings. Batters who spend some time on the wicket have a better chance of scoring runs. Pacers will have a little purchase from this surface as the game progresses, but spinners will enjoy bowling on it as it is sluggish. The team that wins the toss prefers to bowl first because batting becomes easier on this surface as the game goes by.
Probable Playing XIs for SL vs AFG, 2nd ODI
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan top-order batters must stay longer in order to form some beneficial partnerships. The middle-order batters have been outstanding, and they must keep up the intent in the second ODI as well. The bowlers also failed to produce impressive performances in the last ODI.
Sri Lanka’s predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara
Afghanistan
The Afghanistan batters performed admirably well in the first ODI match. Keeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz was crucial behind the stumps and will have to replicate his performance while opening the innings as well.
Afghanistan’s predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik
SL vs AFG Head-to-Head in ODIs
Played – 7 Afghanistan – 2