SL vs AFG 3rd ODI | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Kusal Mendis during the second SL vs AFG ODI match (x.com)

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will now meet-up in the dead-rubber third ODI of their three-match series at Kandy’s Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 14. Hosts, under the leadership of Kusal Mendis, already seized their three-match rubber by winning the first two games with emphatic margins.

SL vs AFG 2024, 3rd ODI: Team Previews

Sri Lanka

Fresh from their comprehensive series win over Zimbabwe last month, Sri Lanka also trounced Afghanistan in the first two ODIs to seal their ongoing rubber with a game to spare. Dashing opener Pathum Nissanka has minted 228 runs across both innings at Pallekele so far, which included a record-shattering 210* in the series opener. Charith Asalanka also scored a valiant 97* in the second match, while Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando and captain Kusal Mendis have listed valuable match-winning runs from their ends.

Sri Lanka’s bowling unit has also seized several critical moments throughout the series, with strike fast bowler Pramod Madushan and Wanindu Hasaranga emerging as their leading wicket-takers.

Afghanistan

After punching above their weights to secure sixth spot on the 2023 World Cup points table, Afghanistan sustained heavy defeats to Sri Lanka in their subsequent ODI assignment to concede their away series. In both games, Afghanistan failed to chase down Sri Lanka’s 300-plus totals, with their dramatic batting collapse in the second game enabling them to lose their final eight wickets for just 10 runs.

Regardless of their recent troubles, Afghanistan can take solace from the twin hundreds unleashed by Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi in the series opener and sizzling half-centuries registered by Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran in the second.

SL vs AFG 2024, 3rd ODI: Match Details & Live Streaming

SL vs AFG 2024, 3rd ODI: Kandy Pitch Report

Considering the venue’s past history as well as records from this series, batters will be expected to dictate terms once again over the bowlers. Spinners, however, will come in handy especially during the middle overs of the innings. The average first innings total at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium after all 38 ODIs hosted here has emerged in the range of early 250s. Despite a seemingly lower average, hosts Sri Lanka amassed 300-plus totals at the iconic venue on both occasions this series, and ended up prevailing with emphatic margins.

SL vs AFG 2024, 3rd ODI: Probable Playing 11

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando and Pramod Madushan.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

SL vs AFG 2024, 3rd ODI: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips 

SL vs AFG 2024, 3rd ODI: Winner Prediction

Hosts Sri Lanka, owing to their recent form and a formidable track record at home, will once again be considered as favourites to ravage a struggling Afghanistan side and seal their three-match series with a 3-0 margin.

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