SL vs AFG Dream11 Prediction: 1st ODI of Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2024 Playing 11, Pitch Report, Fantasy Cricket Tips for Dream11 Team

After a 10-wicket win in the one-off Test, Sri Lanka lock horns with Afghanistan in a three-game ODI series starting on February 9, Friday, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, which will host all three games.

Sri Lanka are coming off a 2-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in January. There are no major changes in their squad, except Chamika Karunarate coming in for Dasun Shanaka.

Let’s take a look at our fantasy preview for this game.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI of Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka 2024

9 February, 2:30 PM IST

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

SL vs AFG Preview

After recovering from dengue, Pathum Nissanka has been included in the three-game ODI series. Alongside Shanaka, Jeffrey Wandersay and Nuwanidu Fernando miss out, though.

Meanwhile, Rashid Khan is recovering from back surgery, which took place late last year. Qais Ahmad will fill in for the experienced spinner. Interestingly, this will be Afghanistan’s first ODI series since the ICC World Cup 2023.

Reserve players in World Cup 2023, Gulbadin Naib and Fareed Ahmad have made the squad for this series. Naveed Zadran, the pacer who did well in the only Test against Sri Lanka, is also part of the squad as an uncapped player. Najibullah Zadran is a notable absentee, though.

Form Guide

Afghanistan – LLNWW
Sri Lanka – WWLLL

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The Pallekele Stadium pitch is known for its batting-friendly nature, favouring the batters who often dominate the game. The surface doesn’t offer much assistance to pacers, making it easier for batsmen to find their rhythm and score big runs once they settle in. As the matches move forward, the pitch at Pallekele International Stadium gradually dries up and becomes more favourable for spinners. Considering the impressive spin options available to both teams, it wouldn’t be surprising to witness game-changing performances from the talented spin department.

Last result at the venue (SEP 4, 2023)

Nepal – 230/10 (48.2 overs) (Pacers – 6w, Spinners – 3w)

India – 147/0 (20.1 overs) (Pacers – 0w, Spinners – 0w)

India won by 10 wickets.

SL Playing 11

1. Pathum Nissanka
2. Kusal Mendis (c & wk)
3. Charith Asalanka
4. Sadeera Samarawickrama
5. Wanindu Hasaranga/ Sahan Arachchige
6. Chamika Karunaratne
7. Janith Liyange
8. Dunith Wellalage
9. Maheesh Theekshana
10. Dilshan Madushanka
11. Pramod Madushan/ Dushmantha Chameera

Sri Lanka Team News

• • As of now, there is no update on Hasaranga’s return home from the ILT20 2024.
  • Maheesh Theekshana & Dushmantha Chameera have not played their last match in ILT20. They might have taken the flight for the national duty.

• Sri Lanka SQUAD

Kusal Mendis (c), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shevon Daniel

• Batting order should remain the same.

SL Key Players

Wanindu Hasaranga Stats vs Afghanistan in ODI

Maheesh Theekshana Stats vs Afghanistan in ODI

AFG Playing 11

1. Ibrahim Zadran
2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
3. Rahmat Shah
4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
5. Azmatullah Omarzai
6. Ikram Ali Khil (wk)
7. Mohammad Nabi
8. Gulbadin Naib
9. Qais Ahmad/ Noor Ahmad
10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
11. Fazalhaq Farroqi/ Farid Ahmad

Afghanistan Team News

• Gurbaz, Mujeeb and Noor Ahmad were seen in the team bus running towards Colombo.
• There is no confirmed update about Farooqi if he has reached Sri Lanka from ILT20 or not.
• Afghanistan Full squad

Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad

AFG Key Players

Azmatullah Omarzai Stats vs Sri Lanka in ODI

Ibrahim Zadran vs Sri Lanka in Test

Who will win today match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (1st ODI of Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka 2024)?

• A total of 12 matches have taken place between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in the ODI format. Sri Lanka has won 7 matches while Afghanistan has won 4 matches.
• In the last 5 ODI matches, Sri Lanka has a lead of 3-2 over Afghanistan.

Due to Hasaranga’s comeback, Sri Lanka looks so strong. It is expected that Sri Lanka will win this match.

SL vs AFG Dream11 Prediction

Wicket-keepers: K Mendis, R Gurbaz

Batsmen: Ibrahim Zadran, P Nissanka, C Asalanka

All-rounders: W Hasaranga, A Omarzai, G Naib

Bowlers: M Theekshana, D Madushanka, M ur Rahman

Who are the Best Captain or Vice Captain Options for SL vs AFG Dream11 Team?

For Small League, Head to Head contest: W Hasaranga, A Omarzai

For Grand League, Mega Contest: I Zadran, D Madushanka

What are SL vs AFG Fantasy Tips?

• Sadira Samarawickrma can be a good pick as well.
• Noor Ahmad can be an out-of-the-box pick.

Where to watch SL vs AFG Live?

Sony Sports Network