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Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan ODI I Tips - The Lions set to roar

By Sridhar Bhamidi

31 May 2023

Sridhar Bhamidi 31 May 2023

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Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan ODI I predictions to be played in Hambantota on Friday morning, IST
Sri Lanka have a 6-0 record in home ODIs with Karunaratne as captain
Sri Lanka have won 4 of their last 6 home ODIs
Afghanistan have lost 4 of their 6 completed ODIs against Sri Lanka
Ibrahim Zadran has 2 centuries in his last 3 ODIs against Sri Lanka
Kasun Rajitha has taken 3 wickets in his last 2 ODIs against Afghanistan
Can Sri Lanka start the series with a win and extend their domination against Afghanistan?

Can the home team start the series on a high? (Getty Images)

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan ODI I

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will look to finetune their preparations in the ODI World Cup year with a three-match series in the Island nation. The first match will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota on Friday, June 2 starting at 10am IST.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan ODI I
Head to Head
Sri Lanka Form
Sri Lanka Team News
Afghanistan Form
Afghanistan Team News

With qualification to the global tournament hinging on the upcoming qualifiers, Sri Lanka will look to get their preparations going. Afghanistan have already qualified and will look to use this series to get some momentum. It is the hosts who have a slight edge and I am backing them to win here.

Sri Lanka have won all 6 home matches with Karunaratne as captain (ODIs)
Sri Lanka have won 4 of their last 6 home matches (ODIs)
Afghanistan have lost 4 of 6 completed matches against Sri Lanka (ODIs)
Ibrahim Zadran has scored 100s in 2 of his 3 matches against Sri Lanka (ODIs)
Kasun Rajitha has taken 3 wickets in his last 2 matches against Afghanistan (ODIs)

Head to Head

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan has been played out seven times in ODIs with four wins for the Lankans, two for Afghanistan and one ending as no-result.

The last time these sides played was in November 2022 when the series in Sri Lanka ended 1-1 with one game ending as no result.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka were last seen in this format in March when they toured New Zealand and were beaten 2-0. That makes it five straight losses in completed ODIs, being preceded by a 3-0 loss in India.

The Island nation have the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe to plan for. They have made the right noises by recalling captain Dimuth Karunaratne, after nearly a two-year absence.

Dushmantha Chameera also returns after missing the New Zealand tour while Kusal Perera misses out.

Sri Lanka Team News

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is a doubt owing to a foot injury and remains the only concern for Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan have last featured in this format when they toured Sri Lanka in November 2022 for three ODIs that ended 1-1.

The visitors have already qualified for the global tournament later in the year in India. That gives them the flexibility of using this series as a chance to finetune their preparations.

The 15-strong squad has a strong IPL flavour with four players in the squad while young 21-year-old uncapped seamer Abdul Rahman is a new face.

Afghanistan Team News

Afghanistan received a big blow on the eve of the series with leg-spinner Rashid Khan ruled out of the first two ODIs due to a lower-back injury.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan FAQs

Where can I watch the Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan live stream.

What time does Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan start?

This Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan ODI I is being played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota on June 2, Friday at 10:00am IST.

Verdict

Sri Lanka have a lot to play for, not just in this series but in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. They will hope that the return of Dimuth Karunaratne can galvanise them. Afghanistan are always a sticky opponent but the home conditions suit Sri Lanka perfectly.

I am backing Sri Lanka to start the series with a win. Keep an eye on the individual markets with Ibrahim Zadran likely to be Afghanistan’s best batter, while Kasun Rajitha may fancy his chances of being Sri Lanka’s best bowler.