ICC World Cup 2019: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka - Match Preview, Prediction, Predicted XI, Pitch, Weather & Stats

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will eye their maiden win of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019 when they will take on each other. Both teams had lost their respective opening matches and thus they would like to make a solid comeback. Sri Lanka had delivered a disappointing performance against New Zealand and the Island nation will need to come up with a better batting show. We bring you Match Preview, Prediction, Predicted XI, Pitch, Weather & Stats.

Read More: ICC World Cup 2019: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s Predicted Playing XI, Analysis

Sri Lanka had surrendered their weapons on a green track at Sophia Gardens and they would play their second match at the same venue. The Sri Lankan batsmen must have learned their lessons and they need to show some resistance with the bat. Their skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was the lone warrior for the side as the southpaw opening batter had scored a fighting fifty.

However, the rest of the batters will need to pick up the threads in the batting department. Sri Lanka wilted at 136 against New Zealand and they would need to improve their batting.

On the other hand, Afghanistan could not challenge the potent side of Australia. The seam bowling is Afghanistan’s Achilles Heel and hence they depend more on their spin battery to deliver the goods. Meanwhile, Afghanistan will aim to come up with a better batting performance.

Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (Match 7): Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – Stats Preview

Their batsmen had got off to starts against Australia. However, they were not able to convert their starts into substantial scores. Thus, Afghanistan batters will like to make the most of the start and get a big score for the team.

Match Prediction: It is going to be an even stevens contest between the two underdogs of the tournament. Afghanistan might start as favourites because of their potent spin bowling battery. In fact, Afghanistan will want their batsmen to tick the right boxes and if they can get a good score, their bowling will be in action.

Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI: Mohammed Shahzad, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hasmatullah Shahidi, Mohammed Nabi, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib(c), Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Sri Lanka’s Predicted Playing XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal, Isuru Udana, Thisara Perera,  Jeevan Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva.

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2019: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI, Analysis

Pitch Report: It was a green wicket at Sophia Gardens for the match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Thus, a similar wicket is expected and Sri Lanka would have taken their lesson.

Weather Report: Showers are expected on Tuesday and thus it would keep interrupting during the match. The temperature is going to stay around 15-degree Celsius.

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Stats:

Former Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Matthews need another 10 runs to complete 12000 runs in International cricket across the format.

Lahiru Thirimanne needs another six runs to get to 3000 ODI runs.

Samiullah Shinwari requires another three wickets to complete 50 ODI wickets.