Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction: The Sportsrush present before you Match Prediction of 2019 World Cup Match 7 between AFG and SL.
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Come 4th June, the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 sees two Asian sides square off against each other for the first time. Yet to open their points column, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will be taking on each other at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
Sri Lanka are heading into this contest in dismal form. In what has been a horrendous 2019 for them, the side who are yet undergoing a transition period have managed to register just the sole win in 10 matches. And none emphasized their treacherous showings of late than their series opener against New Zealand, a match where they were outplayed in all the departments of the game.
Despite them having fared not much better after slumping to a 7-wicket defeat against Australia, Afghanistan will be fancying their chances come Sri Lanka. The lower middle-order had all shown fortitude against an immaculate Australian pace attack, displaying more than ample signs of the immense skill set which is brimming in this Afghanistan side.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – What numbers suggest?
The two sides have played each other only three times till date with Sri Lanka edging Afghanistan 2-1. The most recent encounter between the two sides came in the Asia Cup in 2018 when Afghanistan managed to register their first win against Sri Lanka by a staggering 91 runs off the back of a clinical performance.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – Key Battles
Hashmatullah Shahidi vs Thisara Perera
Having played against each other just once till date in ODIs, Shahidi’s 37-run innings against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup was brought to an end by Perera who found the gap but his bat and pad to castle him up. And Perera will be looking to do the same against Afghanistan’s fulcrum in the middle-order, a batsman who has shown an astute understating of the game.
While this is a battle which heavily swings in Shahidi’s favour based on current form, Perera’s know how of the game and well versed skill set can’t be ignored.
Rashid Khan vs Dimuth Karunaratne
Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne has over the time emerged as the finest batsman in Sri Lanka’s abysmal batting line-up. His dependable nature was visible against New Zealand as well when he batted out the entire quota of overs Sri Lanka faced, waging a lone battle to put on a rearguard effort from one end.
And he’ll be more than ready to show the same kind of resolve against Afghanistan. With him expected to be there by the time Rashid Khan comes on, this is an enticing battle which promises to make for an intriguing viewing.
Rashid has yet to pick up Karunaratne but in the 7.2 overs he’s bowled against Sri Lanka in the sole match he’s played against them, he’s registered solid figures of 2-26. He’ll be looking to mix up the deliverers and get the ball to sting into Karunaratne’s pads with him being given a go out inside the first powerplay a perspective move as well.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – Match Prediction
Given the green carpet which was laid out at this venue previously, the conditions are one which are going to play in Afghanistan’s favour. Unlike Sri Lanka who rely heavily on their top three to come up with the runs, Afghanistan have batsmen willing to show determination, will and resolve in the middle part of the innings and grind it out even on the toughest of conditions.
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Another factor which heavily balances this in Afghanistan’s favour is their bowling unit. The pace department has the capability to extract whatever is at offer from the surface before the spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb and Nabi can all deliver an emphatic performance in unison. Sri Lanka have found it a travesty to play against spin recently, something which was visible in their series against South Africa.
Overall, this should be a match which could fully turn out to be an edge of the seat thriller with Afghanistan maintaining their composure to come out with a win on the day.
