ICC World Cup 2019: Match 7, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka - Toss Report

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have got off to a losing start in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. Thus both the teams will look to bounce back when they face each other on June 4 (Tuesday) at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Afghans – Sri Lanka battle for two crucial points

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Sri Lanka started their campaign with a ten-wicket battering against New Zealand. Their recent form in this format is well-documented and their woes seem like never-ending despite some change of personnel. However, the Lankans can draw some inspiration from Pakistan’s turnaround against England. For Sri Lanka, the senior cricketers will have to take responsibility and lead the team. The onus will be on Dimuth Karunaratne to motivate his boys and come out with a bang as they eye a win over Afghanistan.

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On the other hand, Afghanistan put up a brave fight against Australia despite ending on the losing side. They can take a lot of heart with the way their middle and lower middle-order paddled through some difficult phases. However, the openers like Mohammad Shahzad will have to score runs to set a tone for the batters to follow. On the bowling front, the onus will be on Rashid Khan to contain runs and pick wickets as the Afghans look for two crucial points from this game.

Toss Report

Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib has won the toss and elected to bowl first against Sri Lanka at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Here is what the captains said,

Gulbadin Naib:

We want to bowl first. The conditions are good for the bowlers. It’s a good toss to win. We struggled in the middle, we put a good total, but that wasn’t good enough against a good team like Australia. Sri Lanka is a champion side. No changes.

Dimuth Karunaratne:

In the last game also we batted first. The batsmen have an idea how to bat here. It’s (captaincy) not easy, it’s a good challenge. They give me support. Jeevan Mendis is not playing. Pradeep is playing.

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Playing XI

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad(w), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib(c), Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Hamid Hassan

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Kusal Perera(w), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga