On Thursday, June 2, 2023, the first ODI match of the Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2023 is set to take place at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota.

Sri Lanka’s performance in ODIs has shown improvement in previous series, but they faced significant challenges in their most recent encounters against India and New Zealand. During the early part of this year, they suffered a whitewash in the three-match ODI series against India. Additionally, they experienced a clean sweep in the recent ODI series against New Zealand. Leading the Sri Lankan ODI team in this home series of three matches is Dasun Shanaka, the regular captain.

Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne are vital batsmen for Sri Lanka in this ODI series, supported by Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Charith Asalanka. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama are the designated wicketkeeper-batsmen in the Sri Lankan squad. Sri Lanka’s bowling unit also exhibits strength, with Dushan Hemantha leading the attack alongside Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, and Maheesh Theekshana. Chamika Karunaratne and Wanindu Hasaranga are also available to bolster Sri Lanka’s bowling prowess.

Afghanistan, known for producing talented cricket players, has made significant progress as a team. They are gearing up for their first ODI series of the year. In their most recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, they managed to secure a 1-1 draw. For this series of three ODI matches against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan has included some promising young players in their squad.

Leading the team as captain is Hashmatullah Shahidi, who will oversee the batting order alongside Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, and Najibullah Zadran. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil serve as the wicketkeeper-batsmen in the Afghan squad. Afghanistan possesses a formidable bowling unit, renowned for its skilled spinners. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will spearhead the Afghan bowling attack, supported by Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Fareed Ahmad Malik. Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Azmatullah Omarzai also contribute to Afghanistan’s bowling prowess.

Rashid Khan, who recently showcased his talent in the Indian Premier League, performed exceptionally well and emerged as one of the tournament’s leading wicket-takers. With his familiarity with the conditions in Sri Lanka, Rashid Khan is expected to play a pivotal role for Afghanistan in this series.

In their ODI history, Sri Lanka has participated in a total of 885 matches. Out of these, they emerged victorious in 401 matches, while the opposing teams claimed victory in 440 matches. There were 39 matches that ended with no result, and 5 matches concluded in a tie.

Afghanistan has competed in a total of 141 ODI matches thus far. Out of these, they achieved victory in 70 matches, while their opponents claimed victory in 66 matches. There were 4 matches that ended with no result, and 1 match concluded in a tie.

In the head-to-head encounters between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, they have played a total of 7 ODI matches. Out of these, Sri Lanka emerged victorious in 4 matches, while Afghanistan secured wins in 2 matches. There was 1 match that ended with no result.

As per the current prediction, Sri Lanka holds the status of the favorite team to win this match. Several factors contribute to Sri Lanka’s favorable position:

• Home ground advantage: Playing in familiar conditions provides a significant edge to Sri Lanka.
• Strong batting order: Sri Lanka possesses a robust batting lineup, boosting their scoring potential.
• Previous record against Afghanistan: Sri Lanka has a positive track record, having won most of the ODI matches played against Afghanistan.
• World-class bowlers in the Afghan squad: Afghanistan boasts some of the best bowlers globally, adding competitiveness to the game.

Strong batting order for Afghanistan: Afghanistan also possesses a formidable batting order, increasing the unpredictability of the match.
Considering these factors, Sri Lanka emerges as the favored team to win this match.

Sri Lanka boasts a formidable and experienced team with a commendable track record when playing in their home conditions. With a strong batting order and a solid bowling unit, Sri Lanka’s chances of winning today’s match have significantly improved. The probability of victory for both teams in today’s match is as follows:

Sri Lanka: 54% chance to win
Afghanistan: 46% chance to win

The toss will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of each match in this series. Based on our toss prediction, the team winning the toss is likely to choose to bat first.

The 1st ODI match of the Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka is going to be held at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. The pitch at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium is typically prepared to provide a fair contest between bat and ball. The nature of the pitch can vary, but it generally favors spinners and offers assistance to fast bowlers in the early stages of a match. The outfield is usually well-maintained and provides fast and true conditions for fielders and batsmen. The grass is kept short to allow for quick movement and good ball tracking. The boundary dimensions may vary depending on the match and format being played. The stadium has larger boundaries compared to some other cricket venues, which can make it challenging for batsmen to hit boundaries.

The weather forecast for match day in Hambantota does not bode well for a cricket game. There is a possibility of rain, but we remain hopeful of witnessing a complete match.

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk & vc), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga.

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan.

• Date: Thursday, 2nd June 2023
• Time: 04:30 AM GMT / 10:00 AM LOCAL / 10:00 PM IST

The venue for the 1st match of SL vs AFG is Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. It was named after the former President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who initiated the construction of the stadium. The venue is primarily used for hosting international cricket matches. The stadium was inaugurated on March 18, 2011, with a One Day International (ODI) match between Sri Lanka and Canada. It is one of the largest cricket stadiums in Sri Lanka and has a seating capacity of around 35,000 spectators.

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium is known for its picturesque location, situated near the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The stadium’s design incorporates elements inspired by the natural environment, such as its roof resembling the wings of a bird. The venue also features floodlights, allowing for day-night matches. In addition to cricket matches, the stadium has hosted other sporting events, including matches of the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL), a domestic T20 cricket tournament. It has also been used for non-sporting events like concerts and cultural festivals.

Hambantota, the city where the stadium is located, is known for its natural beauty and proximity to popular tourist destinations such as Yala National Park and Bundala National Park. The stadium has played a significant role in promoting cricket in the region and attracting tourists to Hambantota.

• Total matches: 23
• Matches won batting first: 9
• Matches won bowling first: 11
• Average 1st Inns scores: 251
• Average 2nd Inns scores: 197
• Highest total recorded: 368/4 (50 Ov) by SL vs PAK
• Lowest total recorded: 112/10 (33.1 Ov) by KEN vs PAK
• The highest score chased: 312/2 (47.2 Ov) by SL vs ZIM
• The lowest score defended: 314/6 (50 Ov) by IND vs SL

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk & vc), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana.