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Following the one-off test match, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are set to engage in a three-game ODI series, commencing this Friday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.
Kusal Mendis will take charge as the captain of the Sri Lankan side, while Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the Afghan side. Riding the momentum from their triumph in the solitary Test match, Sri Lanka will aim to kick off the 50-over series with a victory. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, returning to the ODI format for the first time since the World Cup 2023 , will be eager to put up a strong fight against the hosts.
Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2024, 1st ODI:
- Date and Time: February 9, 2024, 02:30 pm local time/ 10:00 am GMT/ 02:30 pm IST
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch report:
The Pallekele Cricket Stadium is home to a batting-friendly pitch, well-known for its favorable conditions for batters. This surface doesn’t offer significant support to fast bowlers, creating an enticing setting for batters to showcase their skills and enjoy fruitful innings. Once batters find their groove and get accustomed to the conditions, they can take advantage of numerous opportunities to accumulate substantial runs. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to evolve, developing additional grip that plays into the hands of spin bowlers. Consequently, winning the toss often prompts captains to choose batting first, aiming to exploit the favorable conditions that the Pallekele pitch offers throughout the fixture.
SL vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Picks:
- Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Batters: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, Pathum Nissanka
- All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Azmatullah Omarzai, Dunith Wellalage
- Bowlers: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Maheesh Theekshana
SL vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:
- Choice 1: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Azmatullah Omarzai (vc)
- Choice 2: Kusal Mendis (c), Mohammad Nabi (vc)
Also READ: SL vs AFG 2024: Afghanistan’s best playing XI for the ODI series against Sri Lanka
SL vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Backups:
Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Gulbadin Naib, Qais Ahmad
SL vs AFG Dream11 Team for today’s match (Feb 9, 9:00 am GMT)
Squads:
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Sahan Arachchige, Akila Dananjaya, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Shevon Daniel
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad
