SL vs AFG, 1st ODI: Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are all set to play a three-match ODI series starting from November 25 and all the three games will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Both the Asian sides have had contrasting results in recent times and the island nation, in particular, has had an excellent run in the last three to four months.

After their Asia Cup 2022 triumph against the odds, Sri Lanka had a decent T20 World Cup campaign where they finished fourth (Group 1) on the Super 12 stages points table with two wins in five games. Sri Lanka announced their squad late, but have some powerful players in their lineup as Chamika Karunaratne's suspension opened the doors for other players. 

Afghanistan on the other hand, have named a strong squad for the series with regular ODI skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi returning as the leader. They have a point to prove after finishing below Ireland in the Super 12 stages points table as they did not win a single game at the T20 World Cup 2022 despite coming close at some occasions.

Pitch Conditions 

Pallekele Stadium has been traditionally good for batting and the pitch becomes better in the second half making it easy for the chasing side. The skipper winning the toss will be looking to chase down the total given the results so far and also with conditions getting better once the day progresses. 

Playing Combinations for SL vs AFG 

Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka have stuck to its core with exceptions like Bhanuka Rajapaksa requesting for taking an ODI break. Dinesh Chandimal is likely to take his place in the XI while the rest of the XI picks themselves. Sri Lanka is expected to stick on to Kasun Rajitha who did well after coming in as replacement in the T20 World Cup.

Predicted Playing XI 

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Pramod Madushan, Mahesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha. 

Afghanistan 

Afghanistan will have two exciting youngsters in Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran at the top of the order. Rahmat Shah and Hashmutullah Shahidi will return as regulars in the ODI setup and they will be followed by the destructive middle order lineup of Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran and Gulbadin Naib. Fared Ahmad Malik and Fazalhaq Farooqi will take care of the fast bowling unit in the company of world-class spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman. 

Predicted Playing XI 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik 

SL vs AFG Head-to-Head 

Played- 04 | Sri Lanka- 03 | Afghanistan- 01

SL vs AFG Broadcast & Live Streaming Details 

Match Timings- 2:30 PM IST 

TV- Sony Sports Network

Streaming- SonyLiv App and ICC.tv