Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions: Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka 2023, Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan - 1st ODI - June 2

The 1st ODI match of the Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka will take place between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on the 2nd of June, 2023 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.

LIVE SCORES - Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan - 1st ODI - June 2

Current ODI Form Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka have been in a very ordinary ODI form currently. They were recently beaten by New Zealand in a 3 match series with a margin of 2-0. They were also thrashed by India in a 3 match series by 3-0 in January this year.

Although, Sri Lanka haven't performed to their potential recently, they have quite a few match winners in their squad. They will be a strong unit in their home conditions.

Players to look out for:

1. Dimuth Karunaratne - He is a surprise inclusion in the Sri Lankan squad. Karunaratne has been a consistent performer in red ball cricket and can easily transform his performance into the white ball cricket.

2. Matheesha Pathirana- After performing superbly in the recently concluded IPL, Pathirana will be looking forward to the upcoming series against Afghanistan.

Current ODI Form Afghanistan:

Afghanistan last played an ODI series in November last year against Sri Lanka, where they drew the series level at 1-1.

In June 2022, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe in a 3 match ODI series by 3-0.

Based on Afghanistan's current T20 form, they are expected to give a stiff competition to the hosts in the upcoming bilateral event.

Players to look out for:

1.Rahmanullah Gurbaz- Gurbaz couldn't perform very well in the recently concluded IPL but his exploits in International cricket have been no less than phenomenal. He is certainly a player to look out for in the Afghanistan squad.

2. Noor Ahmad- Ahmad has proved himself at the world stage with his performances at IPL 2023. He played an important role for Gujarat Titans in helping them enter the playoffs. Noor Ahmad will hold the key for Afghanistan in the upcoming ODI's against Sri Lanka.

Ground Prediction:

The previous matches at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium has produced high scoring affairs and we are likely to see big scores in the upcoming matches on this ground.

Let’s have a look at the squads:

Sri Lanka -  Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (vc & wk), Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana

Afghanistan - Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhail (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujib ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik.

Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Sri Lanka

Who will win?- Sri Lanka

Top Batter (Runs Scored) - Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka), Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken)- Chamika Karunaratne (Sri Lanka), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan)

Most Sixes – Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka), Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan)

Player of the Match- Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)

Team Scores Batting first – Sri Lanka 280+, Afghanistan 260+

Match Handicap: Sri Lanka

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

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