World Cup 2023, AFG vs SL | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

AFG set to take on SL [X.Com]

Heading to Pune on the back of a remarkable win over Pakistan, the spirited Afghanistan take on the resurgent Sri Lankan side for their next league-stage encounter of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Monday (October 30). 

The Afghan warriors, who had earlier toppled off defending champions England, have an opportunity to bag another major scalp under their belt. For Sri Lanka, a win over the more fancied Englishmen would've revived their confidence and raised their hopes multifold to try and keep their diminishing semifinal hopes alive. 

Both teams have clinched just two previous wins in their five matches and require another victory to stay in contention. A loss for either side would realistically push the semifinal berth too far away from their reach. 

AFG vs SL: Team Previews 

Afghanistan 

Afghanistan would've felt an immense boost about their batting resources and their top 4 in particular after openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz and middle-order duo of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi rallied together with impressive half-centuries to produce a memorable run-chase versus Pakistan. 

A similar performance could help Afghanistan post a strong total and unleash their famed spin battery on Sri Lanka and put pressure on the opposition in the manner they did over England on a good batting surface. 

The Afghans might have to backtrack on their four-pronged spin attack keeping in mind the true bounce surface in Pune and that would mean promising wristspinner Noor Ahmad making way for pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi.  

Sri Lanka 

For Sri Lanka, injuries and inexperience may have dented their campaign but the 1996 champions showed in their win over England that they aren't easy pushovers by any means. Stand-in skipper Kusal Mendis and his men came up with a comprehensive display against the defending champions and kept their semifinal hopes alive. 

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Up next for them is an Afghanistan side that has produced a similar campaign and has been a flesh in their thorne for quite some time. Afghanistan have regular given Sri Lanka a hard time in One-Day Internationals and that shall make the Lankan Lions wary in Pune. 

What Sri Lanka would hope after their eight-wicket win against England is for their pace battery of Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara and allrounder Angelo Mathews to find consistency in support of lead tweaker Maheesha Theekshana. Once there, their batting wouldn't need to operate under extensive pressure to put up huge scores on the board. 

AFG vs SL: Match Details & Live Streaming

AFG vs SL: Pune Pitch Report

Among the truest, most seamer-friendly surfaces in India, the pitch condition in Pune favours the quicks and aids good stroke-making for batters who don't have an issue against pace and bounce. It's a unique setting for two spin-friendly subcontinent sides in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and could well entail a thrilling encounter with a spot in the semifinals at stake. 

AFG vs SL: Probable Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka

AFG vs SL: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

AFG vs SL: Winner Prediction

Afghanistan pose a stronger outlook over Sri Lanka in their must-win clash with Pune after packing their strongest punch against Pakistan. If their batting withstands the task, the Afghans could well come out triumphant versus the Lankan Lions as well.

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