SL vs AFG: 3rd ODI match prediction

SL vs AFG: At Hambantota, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will clash in the series finale. The hosts were able to level the series at 1-1 thanks to the Sri Lankan batters' comeback and Dhananjaya de Silva's impressive bowling.

Afghanistan defeated a target of 269 runs in the first match of this ODI series with six wickets remaining. In the second one-day international, Sri Lanka's top order took the initiative and struck hard, pushing the score past 300.

Wanindu Hasaranga started the second one-day international and finished with 3 for 42, which helped clean up the Afghanistan tail. Dushmantha Chameera was brought in by Sri Lanka to replace Pathirana while Hasaranga took the place of Lahiru Kumara.

Even though Sri Lanka bowled the opposition out for just 191 runs in the most recent match, we think the pitch is still good for batting. The two groups ought to focus on a decent score in the event that they bat first. With a few good partnerships at the top, Afghanistan can replicate its performance in the first ODI. They have a strong top five.

SL vs AFG: Match details

Match: SL vs AFG 3rd ODI (Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka, 2023)

Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM

Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

SL vs AFG: Match Overview

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka rushed to address their missteps and stage a rebound against the guests in the second ODI. Kusal Mendis delivered a powerful punch at number three that lived up to the hype.

A solid player at that position who can assume the anchor's part in the innings can be urgent to construct organizations in the center. It was a decent day for the openers too who put on 82 runs for the primary wicket.

Despite having a strong Test record, Dimuth Karunaratne has mostly struggled in one-day internationals. Karunaratne hasn't yet reached his full potential, as evidenced by his seven fifties and one hundred from 32 appearances.

Sri Lanka got off to a good start with his fifty in the previous match, but Karunaratne, a senior player who has played in 86 Test matches, is expected to play a much longer innings for Sri Lanka. With his 44-run score, Samarawickrama, who took Matthews' place at number four, quickly proved that the decision was correct.

However, in the Sri Lankan batting lineup, it is yet another instance of a strong start that did not translate into runs. De Silva, Shanaka, and Hasaranga are all capable of scoring runs in the lower order, making it a deep batting lineup. Dasun Shanka will be surely coming into this third ODI as every one of his choices in the last game demonstrated compelling.

Afghanistan

Rashid Khan will undoubtedly be greatly missed by skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, as his bowlers scored 323 runs after being put in first. In the second match, Fazalhaq Farooqi did not take a wicket after breaking through the Sri Lankan top order in the first ODI.

Mohammad Nabi trapped Pathum Nissanka LBW in the 16th over, making the first breakthrough. As Karunaratne has knocked out LBW this time, the 18-year-old Noor Ahmed was quick enough to deliver another blow. The match could go either way at this point.

With both openers back in the pavilion, Sri Lanka had dropped two quick wickets. The 88-run third-wicket partnership changed the outcome of the match in Sri Lanka's favor. Against a skilled Sri Lankan bowling attack, chasing 300+ for Afghanistan was not going to be easy.

The Afghanistan pacers may have been able to advance early in the powerplay with the new, moving ball. However, the pacers would be rendered ineffective for the remainder of the innings if the Sri Lankan openers played them out cautiously.

The way to success in this series decider is bowling. The hosts have a strong lineup, and getting early wickets will help Afghanistan win. In the batting order, key players Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and captain Shahidi are all in good shape.

SL vs AFG: Key tips

In the series finale, Sri Lanka hopes to maintain their recent success. Afghanistan is expected to be without Rashid Khan in the most recent game, and Sri Lanka's bottom order is in terrific form. Kusal Mendis and Chameera led the recovery from Sri Lanka in the second ODI.

SL vs AFG: Probable XI

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Matheesha Pathirana, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Kasun Rajitha, Dimuth Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara

Afghanistan

Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Noor Ahmad, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik

SL vs AFG: Pitch report

All games in this ODI series will take place at Hambantota's Mahindra Rajapaksa International Stadium. India's 314 runs are the lowest total ever successfully defended on this field. The team batting first will want to score more than 300 runs to improve their chances of winning this game.

SL vs AFG: Weather report

It is a batting-friendly track with strong bounce that helps pacers in the first innings while allowing spinners to have a say as the game goes on. The high temperature will be 32 degrees Celsius with overcast skies.

SL vs AFG: Toss prediction

The winning percentages for the teams batting first and second on this field are nearly identical. We believe it won't be as simple to score large here in the final game because the surface has been used for the past two ODIs. Therefore, chasing is to be avoided, especially when spinners are involved.

SL vs AFG: Pre-play prediction

Best batter: Dimuth Karunaratne (SL), Ibrahim Zadran (AFG)

Best bowler: Kasun Rajitha (SL), Fareed Ahmad Malik (AFG)

Best all-rounder: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG)

Player of the match: Dimuth Karunaratne (SL)

SL vs AFG: Match Prediction

After a decisive victory in their previous encounter, Sri Lanka will enter this one with confidence. If Afghanistan loses early wickets in a run chase, they risk collapsing. Although they have made significant progress over the years, we believe Sri Lanka's seasoned bowling attack will prevail in this match. If Rashid Khan had been included in the XI, he may have had an impact. Since Afghanistan's pacers lack much experience, if their opening period ends without any wickets, the hosts may once more amass a large enough total to claim victory. Sri Lanka will prevail 2-1 in the series.