Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Prediction: Sri Lanka won the ODI series 3-0

Sri Lanka and West Indies are going head to head in the 1st Match of the T20 Series at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka on 17 Feb 2024. Sri Lanka won the ODI series 3-0 and will be looking for a positive start in the T20 series as well. Who will win this game of cricket?

The home team is anticipated to field their strongest lineup in the inaugural match of the T20I series at Dambulla.

In the batting department, the away team will place their trust in players such as captain Kusal Mendis, wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama, dynamic Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka to contribute significantly to the run tally.

Charith Asalanka leads Sri Lanka in T20 format runs, having scored 179 runs in five innings at a striking rate of 140.94.

On the bowling front, the responsibility falls on pacers Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana to make pivotal breakthroughs.

Kusal Mendis (C), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka/Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana

The Afghani team management is optimistic that the team will exhibit an improved batting performance in the upcoming three-match T20I series.

Concerning the batting lineup, the home team will heavily depend on players such as captain Ibrahim Zadran, wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, left-handed Najibullah Zadran, and the all-rounder trio of Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Gulbadin Naib to contribute significantly to the run total.

On the bowling front, the responsibility rests on the shoulders of bowlers like Fareed Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi to secure timely breakthroughs.

Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi

The pitch prepared for the contest in Dambulla is poised to set the stage for an intriguing battle between bat and ball. The weather forecast indicates clear skies with a gentle breeze for the upcoming game. The 1st T20 of the series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will take place at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. Both teams are eager to win the toss, opt to bowl first, and limit the opposition to a score below 165, considering the average first innings score at this venue ranges from 130 to 140 runs. Given their current form, Host Sri Lanka is considered the favorite to win against Afghanistan. With players like Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka in outstanding form this season, the team management is hopeful that the side can perform well with the bat in this match. It is anticipated that Sri Lanka will secure a comfortable victory over Afghanistan at Dambulla.