SL Vs AFG, Only Test | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

SL Vs AFG (X.com)

Sri Lanka will be hosting Afghanistan for the first-ever Test matchup between the two sides on Friday. Squads have been locked and the fixture will go on floors at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo from 10.00 AM IST onwards.

SL Vs AFG: Team Previews

Sri Lanka

A crisis hit Sri Lanka will be featuring in its first Test match in the past six months as they take on Afghanistan in the lone red ball matchup of the extended tour. 

For the lone Test, the selection committee decided to feature three uncapped players in a bold move. Bowlers Chamika Gunasekara and Milan Rathnayake, alongside opener Lahiru Udara have made it to the final squad. 

Interestingly, Lakshitha Mansinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, and Pathum Nissanka have been left out due to undisclosed reasons. Additionally, Dhananjaya de Silva has been handed the leadership duties for the historic game.

Dilshan Madushanka apparently opted to prioritize the ILT20 league and thus has missed out. 

Regardless, the Sri Lankan squad looks stronger on paper. They are likely to dominate on home conditions as Afghanistan awaits a steep challenge.

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Afghanistan

Afghanistan was hit with a massive setback as spin wizard Rashid Khan was ruled out for the Sri Lanka tour owing to a back injury. He also missed the T20 series against India and skipped multiple league games to prioritize recovery. 

Thus, Qais Ahmed will fill in Rashid Khan’s shoes for the upcoming Test against Sri Lanka.

Besides, Naveed Zadran and Mohammad Ishaq received maiden call-ups for the lone Test and Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead his side in Colombo. Notably, ACB held a 10-day training camp before finalizing the best-fit squad. 

While Afghanistan lacks the confidence and experience to take on an Asian side in red-ball format, the visitors are passionate and headstrong when it comes to playing cricket at the highest level. 

The team showed utmost grit and fighting spirit against India last month and is expected to carry on the momentum against Sri Lanka as well.

SL Vs AFG: Match Details & Live Streaming

SL Vs AFG: Sinhalese Sports Club Pitch Report

The pitch at the Sinhalese Sports Club is traditionally slow-paced and low-bouncing, with variable turns for spinners as the match progresses. It typically favors spin bowlers, making it a challenging surface for batsmen, particularly against quality spin bowling. The surface will deteriorate as the game progresses. Thus, batting first remains an ideal choice for both captains. Notably, no rain interruptions are expected.

SL Vs AFG: Probable Playing XI

Sri Lanka: Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kusal Mendis, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Udara

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhail (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Mohammad Saleem Safi

SL Vs AFG: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

SL Vs AFG: Winner Prediction

Sri Lanka certainly has the edge over Afghanistan owing to its experience and home turf advantage. Having said that, the visitors are likely to put up a good fight but Sri Lanka will eventually cross the finish line.

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