SL vs AFG 1st ODI Match Prediction & Betting Tips
The opening ODI of the three-match series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan gets underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Sri Lanka last played ODI cricket in March with Afghanistan’s last game in this format back in November of last year. Read on as we preview this match. This game gets underway in Hambantota at 09:30 local time.
Sri Lanka come into this game after a poor ODI series in New Zealand and some other poor scores before that. However, back at home they are always a tough opposition for any side.
Afghanistan will be without their best bowler in this match but still have a talented team across the batting and bowling line-up. They never play with a defensive mindset.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Match Live Streaming
TV channels: This match will be shown live on the Sony Sports Network and Siyatha TV.
Live Streaming: Fans can stream the match on SonyLIV and ICC.TV.
SL vs AFG Match Toss Prediction
Teams batting second have a much stronger win percentage than teams batting first in Hambantota. We predict that both captains will choose to field first if they win the toss.
SL vs AFG Pitch Report
This is a good batting wicket and whichever side bats first will be looking at a par score of at least 300 in this game. Spinners are often hard to score runs off at this ground.
Hambantota Weather Report
The forecast is for partly cloudy conditions throughout the game with humidity around the 70% mark from start to finish. Rain is not expected during the match.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Match 2023
Sri Lanka Team News & Playing 11
SL Team News
Dushmantha Chameera comes back into the Sri Lanka ODI side after missing a large chunk of cricket through injury. We expect him to play alongside Matheesha Pathirana who is set to make his ODI debut after impressing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
SL Key Players
- Pathum Nissanka - The 25 year old right-handed opener has hit a century in both ODI and Test cricket with his top score in this format coming against a very strong Australian side last year.
- Dasun Shanaka - The skipper was part of the Gujarat Titans squad in the 2023 IPL but played in only three matches. He will want to show the cricketing world what the Titans missed out on in this game.
- Kasun Rajitha - The 29 year old did not play an ODI from the end of July 2019 to July 2021 but has gone wicketless in only one ODI across his 18-match career.
SL Team Form
Sri Lanka last won an ODI seven games ago when they beat Afghanistan by 4 wickets to level the ODI series 1-1 last year.
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Sri Lanka Predicted Playing 11
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha
Afghanistan Team News & Playing 11
AFG Team News
Star bowler, spinner Rashid Khan, has been ruled out of the first two ODIs of the series with a lower back injury but is expected back in time for the third and final match of the series. With Rashid out, there will be more responsibility on the other spin bowlers in this opening game.
AFG Key Players
- Ibrahim Zadran - This will be the 21 year old’s ninth ODI and he comes into this game after already having hit three centuries in this format.
- Mohammad Nabi - The vastly experienced all-rounder has hit a century and taken 4x four-wicket hauls across his ODI career. He will get assistance with his off-spin at this venue.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi - The 22 year old left-arm pace bowler was unfortunate to play in only four matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2023 IPL. He has 17 ODI wickets from 10 games.
AFG Team Form
Afghanistan won five ODIs in a row before their last two games in this format. After the winning streak they come into this match after a loss and a no-result.
Afghanistan Predicted Playing 11
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahid (c), Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb ur Rahman
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Head to Head
Although Sri Lanka lead the overall head to head 4-2, both teams have won two of the last five meetings between the sides. Sri Lanka won the last clash by 4 wickets.
SL vs AFG Head to Head Stats in ODI's
| |
Matches Played |
SL Won |
AFG Won |
Tie |
No Result |
| Overall |
7 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
| Last 5 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Betting Odds
The bookies are expecting Sri Lanka to get the win in this opening game of the series and they can be backed at 1.50. Afghanistan are the underdogs at 2.40.
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Who will win Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Match?
Although Afghanistan have plenty of exciting young players in their side, we expect home advantage and experience to be vital in this game so have Sri Lanka looking like the top team ahead of this game.
🏆 Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Prediction
After the excitement and constant big-hitting during the IPL, it will be interesting to see some of the players switch to this longer format but still white ball game. Rashid Khan is a massive miss for Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have a team full of experience. We expect Sri Lanka to be stronger with both bat and ball and to go on to win the match.
Jun 02, 2023
10:00 IST / 4:30 GMT
Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium - Hambantota, Sri Lanka
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