The excitement continues as Sri Lanka prepares to take on Afghanistan in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota on Sunday, June 4. After suffering a 6-wicket defeat in the first ODI, Dasun Shanaka’s team is determined to bounce back and level the series.
In the previous match, Sri Lanka set a target of 269 runs with the help of Charith Asalanka’s impressive knock of 91. However, Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqui and Fareed Ahmed claimed two wickets each, restricting the hosts. In response, Ibrahim Zadran (98 off 98 balls) and Rahmat Shah (55 off 80 balls) formed a solid partnership, leading Afghanistan to a comfortable victory with 19 balls to spare. Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha and debutant Matheesha Pathirana picked up wickets, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
As Sri Lanka and Afghanistan gear up for their second encounter, it is crucial for both teams. Sri Lanka aims to level the series, while Afghanistan looks to maintain their winning momentum. The match holds significance for Sri Lanka as they prepare for the World Cup qualifiers scheduled later this month, while Afghanistan aims to fine-tune their squad for the upcoming showpiece event in India, scheduled for October-November.
Head-to-Head: Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan In their previous eight ODIs, Sri Lanka has emerged victorious in four matches, while Afghanistan has won three encounters. One match ended in a no result. Both teams have experienced success against each other, making this contest highly competitive.
Pitch Report and Weather Forecast The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota has hosted 22 ODI matches so far. In the first match of this series, the pitch favored batsmen, with over 500 runs scored across both innings. Although the quick bowlers found some assistance initially, the pitch eased up as the match progressed. Spinners had a greater impact than the Sri Lankan tweakers. For the second ODI, it is expected that the pitch will behave similarly.
Regarding the weather, there is a prediction of showers on the day before the match. However, the match day itself is expected to be mostly cloudy and windy, with a maximum temperature of 33°C. Thankfully, there is no threat of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted game.
Probable XIs For Sri Lanka, experienced spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga are likely to return to the playing XI. Meanwhile, Afghanistan will have the services of Rashid Khan, their star spinner, back in the lineup.
Conclusion With Sri Lanka eager to level the series and Afghanistan aiming to maintain their winning momentum, the second ODI promises to be an intriguing battle. As both teams take the field at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, cricket enthusiasts anticipate an exhilarating contest. Fans can look forward to a closely fought encounter as Sri Lanka seeks redemption and Afghanistan strives to continue their dominance.
