ODI World Cup 2023, Match 30: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Match Preview

Afghanistan go head-to-head with Sri Lanka in what could be an intriguing contest in the ODI World Cup 2023 on Monday, October 30 in Pune. Both teams are equal on points with two wins from five matches. However, Sri Lanka have the better net run rate (NRR) and are currently placed at No. 5 on the points table. Afghanistan, on the other hand, faced some heavy defeats where their NRR took a beating and that is why they are sitting at No. 7.

Sri Lanka eased past England in their previous encounter, winning by eight wickets in a one-sided contest. Afghanistan also registered a morale-lifting eight-wicket win against Pakistan in their most recent game. Therefore, the clash between two buoyant teams could make for a riveting affair.

Sadeera Samarawickrama has been Sri Lanka's standout batter in the tournament, scoring 295 runs in five games at an average of 98.33 and a strike rate of 106.50. He has notched up two half-centuries and one century and is looking in sublime touch. Kusal Mendis started the tournament well but has slipped under the radar in the recent outings. However, he has led the side quite well in the absence of regular captain Dasun Shanaka.

Bowling has been Sri Lanka's Achilles' heal in the tournament but they came up trumps against England, bundling Jos Buttler's men for 156 runs. That stunning performance must have boosted the morale of the relatively inexperienced bowling lineup and they should come out all guns blazing against the Afghans.

Hashmatullah Shahidi's men rely heavily on their openers. In the two games in which Afghanistan emerged victorious, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran stitched partnerships in excess of 100. The former is Afghanistan's leading run-getter in the tournament thus far with 224 runs in five games at an average of 44.80 and a strike rate of 101.36. Rahmat Shah and Shahidi have also looked in decent touch.

The bowling department has hunted as a unit and that is why the wickets have been shared among the bowlers. While spin is still the stronger suit of the 'Blue Tigers', seamers like Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi have done relatively well.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

AFG vs SL, Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pitch and Conditions

This is going to be the second ODI World Cup 2023 game that is going to be played in Pune. Bangladesh scratched and clawed their way to 256 on a pretty decent surface before India chased the total in the 42nd over. The ground isn't too big and the pitch is also quite good. Batters should enjoy their time in the middle.

AFG vs SL Probable Playing XIs for ODI World Cup 2023, Match 30

Afghanistan (AFG)

Afghanistan played a masterstroke against Pakistan as they handed a World Cup debut to young Noor Ahmad, who picked up three crucial wickets. Fazalhaq Farooqi made way for the left-arm wrist spinner but playing four spinners in Pune could be a risky option. The pacer might come back in place of Noor, who would unfortunately have to sit out.

Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq

Sri Lanka (SL)

Sri Lanka suffered a huge blow as Lahiru Kumara, who was the Player of the Match against England, was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after suffering a thigh injury while training. The experienced Dushmantha Chameera has been added to the squad as a replacement and he should walk straight into the playing XI in place of Kumara. This should be the only change in the playing XI from the previous game unless any last-minute niggle pops up.

Predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (C & WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

AFG vs SL Head-to-Head in ODIs: