Match Preview: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Only Test 2024

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will take on each other in a one-off Test beginning from Friday, February 02 at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. Notably, it will be a historic affair being the first ever Test between the two nations. Afghanistan began their Test journey way back in 2018 against India in Bengaluru in June 2018.

They’ve played seven matches in their history of over five years so far and won three games while losing four. Their first win came against Ireland in Dehradun in March 2019 while their second and third came against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe respectively.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka last played a Test series against Pakistan on their home soil which they lost by 0-2. As a result, they find themselves languishing on the last spot on the points table on the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2023-25.

Also Read: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan: 3 player battles to watch out for

However, the upcoming one-off game won’t help their cause as it’s not a part of the WTC cycle. Despite that, the Island nation will look to give their best in the upcoming fixture as it will be their last Test before their three-match Test tour to England from August 2024.

Sinhalese Sports Club Pitch Report

Out of the last five Tests played at the venue, four have been won by teams batting first. The average first innings score has been 363 in the same time period while the highest fourth-innings target chased at the venue is 326 by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in 1998. Captain winning the toss will look to bat first and make the most of the good batting conditions on offer.

Click here: SL vs AFG Live Score, Only Test

SL vs AFG Predicted Playing XI

Sri Lanka (SL):

Nishan Madushka, Dimuth Karunaratne , Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha

Afghanistan (AFG):

Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Karim Janat, Zia-ur-Rehman , Zahir Khan, Nijat Masood, Yamin Ahmadzai

Also Read: ICC lift suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket

SL vs AFG, Only Test, Broadcast Details: