Afghanistan takes on Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series after losing the one-off Test match. The first ODI will be played in Pallekele starting from 2.30 pm IST.
Afghanistan will be led by Hasmatullah Shahidi. He led the Afghans in the ODI World Cup as well. He won four games in the tournament as the side grabbed a lot of eyeballs.
Afghanistan won against the likes of England, Pakistan, and even Sri Lanka in the tournament. Overall, in 12 matches the Lankans won seven games and the Afghans won four including the last meeting.
Afghganistan’s white-ball specialists are back in the side after their one-off Test. Rashid Khan continues to remain absent as he is still recovering from his lower back surgery that he underwent after the World Cup.
This gives spinners like Noor Ahmd and Qais Ahmad to step up in his absence and make their presence felt. The bowling attack is well shaped up by spin being the focal point. Fazalhaq Farooqi will lead the pace attack.
Sri Lanka were recently challenged by Zimbabwe who toured the Island nation recently. Afghanistan who are far more used to playing in these conditions and poses a threat to the hosts. In this article, we predict Afghanistan’s playing XI for the first ODI in Pallekele.
Afghanistan Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, 2024
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
The attacking opener is back in the side after his stint at the ILT20 with Dubai Capitals. He scored 146 runs in 8 games at a strike rate of 155.32. He is approaching 1500 ODI runs.
Ibrahim Zadran
Zadran will open the batting for Afghanistan with Gurbaz. He recently led the side against the UAE. He also scored his maiden Test ton in the Only Test and is in good batting form.
Rahmat Shah
Rahmat Shah will slot in at three. He is the most experienced batter in the side with more than 3500 runs in the format. He has played 106 ODIs and has five centuries and 26 fifties in the format.
Hasmatullah Shahidi (C)
Shahidi will slot in at four. He will also lead the side. He did a good job in the World Cup. The skipper needs to score at a faster pace for the team’s cause and rotate the strike.
Azmatullah Omarzai
Omarzai is being promoted as an all-rounder by Afghanistan. He had a brilliant World Cup for his side and is now rising up the ranks. He is 10 short of 500 ODI runs and has a best of 97.
Mohammad Nabi
Nabi is the most-capped Afghanistan cricketer with 156 ODIs. He is almost going strong at almost 40. He has 162 wickets in the format and has scored more than 3000 ODI runs. He is one shy of 100 ODI sixes.
Gulbadin Naib
Naib can slot in at seven and lengthen the batting lineup. He is a strong hitter down the order and can bowl at a good pace. He has played 79 ODI games scoring over 1200 runs and picking 72 wickets.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Mujeeb will bat at eight. In the absence of Rashid Khan, he will lead the spin attack. He is a handy batter down the order who can hit the long ball as well. He has picked up 101 wickets in 75 matches.
Noor Ahmad
Noor will replace Rashid Khan in the side. He has played just seven ODIs and picked up seven wickets. It is time now that he gets more games for his country.
Qais Ahmad
Qais will be the third spinner in the side. He also has the opportunity to make the most of Rashid’s absence. He has played just one ODI back in 2022 against the Netherlands.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Farooqi will conclude the likely Afghanistan playing XI. He has played 27 ODIs picking up 38 wickets. He played his last ODI for Afghanistan in the World Cup.
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