ICC World Cup 2023: Who’ll win Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match? Prediction, fantasy team, pitch report and more

Both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have won 2 of their 5 matches so far. The Lions are in the fifth position with a much better net run rate (NRR) while the Afghans are in the seventh position. This match will decide which team will stay in contention to make it to the semi-finals.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka head-to-head records

These two teams have played 11 ODIs against each other so far. Sri Lanka have won 7 of those and Afghanistan 3. One match did not produce any results. The last time these two met was in September 2023, when Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 2 runs.

These two have faced off twice in World Cups, with Sri Lanka winning both matches. In 2019, Sri Lanka won by 34 runs (DLS). Prior to that, in 2015, Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets. Not to forget that both these teams have evolved a lot over the last few years.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka fantasy team

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (VC, WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha and Dilshan Madushanka.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka pitch report

This is the first time India are not playing when an ODI is being played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. India have played all 8 ODIs in this venue so far and won 5 of those. It is perfectly balanced in Pune when it comes to choosing to bat or bowl first. Four teams have won while batting first, and it’s the same for those bowling first.

In Pune, batters often find themselves in favourable conditions. Although fast bowlers can relish a bit of seam and swing initially, meticulous line and length become crucial to capitalise on the pitch’s pro-batting nature.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka weather

In Pune, the temperature will go as high as 33 degrees. The humidity will be moderate at 63%. However, as per Weather.com, there is no chance of rain even though it is likely to get cloudy at times.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka: Prediction

As per Google’s win probability, there is a 61% chance that Sri Lanka will beat Afghanistan in this match.

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As per CricTracker, no matter who bats first, Sri Lanka will secure their third win of the tournament. MyKhel, on the other hand, believes Afghanistan will emerge victorious even though Lanka have a “bigger pedigree”. We are putting Hashmatullah Shahidi’s boys ahead of the Lions.

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Updated: 30 Oct 2023, 08:12 AM IST