AFG vs SL promises to be a fascinating clash
The MCA Stadium in Pune is set to host another enthralling ODI of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Monday, October 20. Afghanistan, the tournament's surprise package, takes on the ever-resilient Sri Lankan lions in a clash that promises fireworks.
AFG vs SL: Player battles to watch out for
Fuelled by recent spectacular wins, Afghanistan are set to carry forward their winning momentum. The Afghan underdogs, having stunned giants like England and Pakistan, are no longer the dark horses; they've emerged as serious contenders. Sri Lanka, with consecutive wins over the Netherlands and England, will also be eager to re-establish their dominance.
Let’s take a look into the top five AFG vs SL player battles that could dictate the course of this epic clash.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Kasun Rajitha
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Twitter)
Gurbaz, with 23 runs off 49 balls and an average of 11.5 against Rajitha, has had his struggles. Rajitha's pace and swing have twice gotten the better of the young Afghan opener, keeping his strike rate restricted to 46.9. It will be intriguing to see if Gurbaz can rewrite this narrative and face Rajitha's fiery spell head-on.
Kusal Perera vs Mohammad Nabi
Kusal Perera (Twitter)
A battle to watch out for, Perera has been cautious against the seasoned off-spinner, scoring 19 runs off 42 deliveries without getting out. With a strike rate of 45.2, Perera seems to respect Nabi's abilities. The cat-and-mouse chase between Nabi's cunning deliveries and Perera's flamboyant strokes will be a sight to behold.
Rahmat Shah vs Mahesh Theekshana
Maheesh Theekshana (Twitter)
Rahmat Shah has enjoyed his outings against the young Theekshana, scoring at a brisk rate of 91.3. With 42 runs from 46 balls and an average of 42.0, he's only been dismissed once by the spinner. Theekshana, with his bag of tricks, will be eager to tilt this battle in his favour.
Kusal Mendis vs Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan (Twitter)
This Sri Lankan middle-order batsman's numbers against Rashid showcase his dominance, amassing 40 runs from just 34 balls, without losing his wicket, striking at an impressive rate of 117.6. His ability to anchor or accelerate as the situation demands against Rashid’s skillful variations will be pivotal for Sri Lanka's fortunes.
Sadeera Samarawickrama vs Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Twitter)
Samarawickrama has found Mujeeb's spin web tricky to decode. In their face-offs, he's managed just 8 runs off 12 balls, falling prey to Mujeeb once. With a strike rate of 66.7 and an average of 8.0, Sadeera will be looking to navigate Mujeeb's spells cautiously, understanding the threat he poses.
 "Jatin")
