Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will have completed 10 ODIs against each other by the end of an imminent three-match ODI series starting in Hambantota tomorrow onward. Second time across as many years when Afghanistan are touring Sri Lanka to participate for three ODIs, it will be only the second bilateral ODI series between them.
Advertisement
Historically, Sri Lanka have won four and lost a couple of ODIs against Afghanistan thus far. Part of multi-team tournaments, their first four matches were played alternatively in Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup. Afghanistan, who had first defeated Sri Lanka in this format during Asia Cup 2018, had defeated them for the second time during a bilateral series away from home last year.
Contrary to past beliefs, it is noteworthy that Sri Lanka are no longer the superior team when it comes to this rivalry. For those who don’t know, Sri Lanka, unlike Afghanistan, are yet to qualify for ICC Cricket World Cup scheduled to be played in India later in the year.
Speaking particularly of recent form, it is worth of a mention that both the teams have won and lost a couple of matches out of the last four result-oriented matches that they’ve played against one another.
SL vs AFG Head to Head Record in ODI History
Total Number of Matches Played: 7
Matches Won by SL: 4
Matches Won by AFG: 2
Matches Played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium: 0 (SL 0, AFG 0)
Matches Played in Sri Lanka: 3 (SL 1, AFG 1)
SL Average Run Rate Against AFG: 263
AFG Average Run Rate Against SL: 249
Most Runs for SL: 123 (Pathum Nissanka)
Most Runs for AFG: 278 (Ibrahim Zadran)
Most Wickets for SL: 7 (Kasun Rajitha)
Most Wickets for AFG: 9 (Rashid Khan)
Most Catches for SL: 4 (Kusal Mendis)
Most Catches for AFG: 2 (Rashid Khan)
NOTE: Only players part of current squads have been considered above (most runs, wickets and catches).
