Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2023, Today Match Prediction 05 September 2023

AFG vs SL Match Prediction & Analysis

Afghanistan will be looking to turn things around after their recent loss as they face a strong Sri Lankan team in their last group-stage match. A win here is a must if they want to stay alive in the race to the Super Fours.

Sri Lanka dominated Bangladesh in their opening game with the ball. They would have liked to win the game in a more convincing way. Chasing a small target of 165 runs, Sri Lanka lost 5 wickets on their way to victory.

The top 3 failed to get going and that will be their concern coming into this match. The opposition has a strong bowling attack and though they failed in their last outing, there’s great potential in the Afghanistan squad.

Sri Lanka need to put their best foot forward. Both teams have some quality spinners and would be expecting them to deliver breakthroughs in the middle overs. The pitch here in Lahore is a batting paradise and the pacers will find it difficult to trouble the batters.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

AFG

L L L L L

BAN

334/5 in 50.0 6.68

Asia Cup 2023

Bangladesh won by 89 runs 03 Sep 2023

AFG

245/10 in 44.3 5.51

AFG

209/10 in 48.4 4.29

AFG vs PAK

Pakistan won by 59 runs 26 Aug 2023

PAK

268/8 in 50.0 5.36

AFG

300/5 in 50.0 6

AFG vs PAK

Pakistan won by 1 wicket 24 Aug 2023

PAK

302/9 in 49.5 6.06

AFG

59/9 in 19.2 3.05

AFG vs PAK

Pakistan won by 142 runs 22 Aug 2023

PAK

201/10 in 47.1 4.26

BAN

129/3 in 23.3 5.49

BAN vs AFG

Bangladesh won by 7 wickets

11 Jul 2023

AFG

126/10 in 45.2 2.78

SL

W W W W W

BAN

164/10 in 42.4 3.84

Asia Cup 2023

Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets 31 Aug 2023

SL

165/5 in 39.0 4.23

SL

233/10 in 47.5 4.87

ICC WCQ 2023

Sri Lanka won by 128 runs

09 Jul 2023

NED

105/10 in 23.3 4.47

SL

244/2 in 44.2 5.5

ICC WCQ 2023

Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

07 Jul 2023

WI

243/10 in 48.1 5.04

ZIM

165/10 in 32.2 5.1

ICC WCQ 2023

Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets

02 Jul 2023

SL

169/1 in 33.1 5.1

NED

192/10 in 40.0 4.8

ICC WCQ 2023

Sri Lanka beat Netherlands by 21 runs

30 Jun 2023

SL

213/10 in 47.4 4.47

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Afghanistan Preview

Afghanistan were an impressive side in the 2018 Asia Cup. They followed it up with some more promising performances in the 2019 World Cup including the game against Sri Lanka.

This time around, Afghanistan have failed to get off to a good start. And with just one more game left, they must win to keep their chances of Super Fours alive.

And it is just not a win they require here, it should be a big win that can push their NRR high enough to get to the top 2. And openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will be the ones for this job.

The openers are known for their attacking style of play and need to deliver a good start on a great batting pitch in Lahore. Skipper Hasmatullah Shahidi and opener Ibrahim Zadran scored a fifty each while others failed to get going.

Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi at 5 and 6 hold the key to a good finish for Afghanistan. If they lose early wickets it will be up to these two to build strong partnerships and take the game deep.

There are all-rounders like Gulabdin Naib and Karim Janat who have the ability to swing the bat and add some crucial runs at the death. Mujeeb, Nabi, and Rashid can be the key bowlers for Afghanistan with the spin.

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

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

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Hashmatullah Shahidi, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmat Shah

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka have a good NRR after their win in the opening game. And though a loss here may not hurt them a lot they should be looking to guarantee themselves a spot in the Super Fours with a win here.

Kusal Mendis is a crucial figure at number 3 in this lineup and will be eager to find his form ahead of the Super Fours. The middle-order of Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka led the comeback in the last game after Sri Lanka found themselves 3 down for 43 runs.

The two batters stitched together a 78-run partnership for the 4th wicket. There is a lot of experience in this batting lineup with Dhananjaya de Silva coming in at number 6 followed by skipper and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka.

Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne can get Sri Lanka off to a good start. They are quality batters and Karunaratne has the ability to play a longer inning at the top.

A good batting wicket will offer a great opportunity for both to find their rhythm and get back to scoring runs consistently. Kasun Rajitha and Matheesh Theekshana are the key pacers in this setup and will face a challenge on this wicket.

M Theekshana is in great form with the spin and will be one to watch out for.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Matheesha Pathirana, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Sadeera Samarawickrama

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a batting-friendly pitch that offers even bounce and carry allowing the ball to come onto the bat nicely. The bowlers would struggle here as there is not much movement on offer for seamers. The weather will be sunny with a high of 37 degrees Celsius.

AFG vs SL Pitch Report

Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host this encounter between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in their last group-stage match of the Asia Cup. The average 1st innings score here is 252 runs but the conditions are good enough for a 300-run 1st innings score. We reckon the team batting first should be looking for something over 275 runs to be in a competitive position.

Toss: To Bat

Teams batting first have won 32 of the 63 ODIs played at this venue. If Sri Lanka put a big score batting first, they can surely put Afghanistan on the back foot with their bowling attack. Batting first is a better option for Afghanistan as well especially considering their last outing.