Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Preview: Predicted playing 11, Toss prediction and Weather report | Cricket World Cup 2019 Match 7

 Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Preview: TSR presents Predicted Playing 11, Toss prediction and Weather report for Match 7 of Cricket World Cup 2019

The World Cup extravaganza has begun, and each team barring India have had at least a game to start off their campaign. On Day 5, we will have Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka- two Asian teams who have not had a good start to the World Cup and became easy preys to their opposition.

ALSO READ: David Warner booed vs Afghanistan

While Afghanistan had put on a great fight against the Aussies in Bristol, Sri Lanka were reduced to nothing against the Kiwis at Cardiff. Having said that, both the teams would be itching to open their accounts as they will lock horns on Day 5 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

 Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Preview

Form Guide

Talking about the Afghan side first up, they had to something out of the ordinary to upset the reinvigorated Australian side in their opening encounter. Not that they gave up the fight; in fact they never did. But, it were their opening batting duo- Mohammad Shehzad and Hazratullah Zazai  who went back in the hut within the first two overs of their innings for noughts, that the Afghans were at their back foot, early on.

However, determined and useful contributions from Rahmat Shah, skipper Gulbadin Naid, Najibullab Zadran and Rashid Khan in the death, made sure that Afghanistan had put on something on the board, to which their bowlers can at least fancy their chances, with perhaps some early blows initially.

But, defending a paltry 207 against the in form top Australian batting order was always going to be a Herculean task. A 96-run opening stand between skipper Aaron Finch and David Warner made sure that the Aussies were in for a comfortable chase. Barring, the experienced pacer Hamid Hassan (6-2-15-0) no other bowler, even the famous spin bowling trio of Rashid, Mujeeb, and Nabi could impress in what was a cakewalk for the Kangaroos.

The Sri Lankans, on the other hand, struggled once again with both bat and ball, and were all out for a paltry 136 within 30 overs itself. Barring their skipper Dimuth Karunarate (52 off 84), who eventually carried his bat, no other batsmen managed to assist him at the other end. Their next best batsmen, was the southpaw Kusal Perera (29 off 24). The Bowling department needed to do something which they had not done for quite some time in the past. The veteran bowler- Lasith Malinga went for as many as 46 runs in his 5 overs, as the Kiwis chased down the score in only 16.1 overs without losing even a single wicket.

 Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – Predicted Playing 11

Afghanistan might have succumbed to a very formidable Aussie side the other day, but were not down and out. Their bowling core is the best they could have fielded in any match. Thus, no expected changes on that front. The three spinners are Afghanistan’s biggest strengths.

The batting department might see the return of former captain- Asghar Afghan in place of perhaps the left-handed Hashmatullah Shahidi, who looked pretty ordinary with his 34 ball 18 the other day. The openers might have failed with both of them departing for ducks, but they should be given another go given the raw talent both of them are.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had a dismal performance with the bat, and any change in the bowling front, would be pretty unfair on the bowlers. No bowler bowled more than 5 overs, as the Kiwi innings chased down the total in just 16.1 overs. We predict the Sri Lankan team to go for the same Playing 11, and give another go to the unit.

Afghanistan Playing 11

Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Gulbadin Naib (c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Sri Lanka Playing 11

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perara (Wk) Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Parera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka- Pitch and Weather Condition

With temperature at 15 degrees Celsius, the rain is expected to play a spoilsport with 70% precipitation forecast.

Against what was expected, the pitch at Cardiff has witnessed quite some grass, as was evident during the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka encouter on June 1. The seamers with the likes of Matt Henry, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson were seaming and swinging the ball coupled with some extra bounce. Thus, the wicket will assist the seamers initially during the first innings, but will ease off for the batsmen as the innings progresses.

Toss prediction

As mentioned above, and as has been seen with the teams in the World Cup thus far, it is more likely that the teeam who wins the toss would look to bowl first.

Where would the match telecast?

The clash between the two sides will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and Hotstar, and will commence from 03:00 IST.