*SRI VS AFGH PREVIEW- 1st ODI*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Whenever Afghanistan and Srilanka lock horns, we hope for a fiesty battle with spinners ruling the roost. The two sides boast of fine slow bowling groups and despite Rashid likely to miss atleast the first two ODIs, the Afghanistan spin attack still looks potent to prove their mettle as visitors in Srilanka. The likes of Nabi, Noor Ahmed who was mighty impressive for the Titans in the recently concluded IPL and Mujeeb Ur Rehman can quite easily keep the Lankan batters on their toes. However, the same can’t be said about Srilanka with Hasaranga lately fallen off the radar. The wrist spinner, who is the leader of the Srilankan spin attack, was below par in the IPL with his stocks experiencing a downgrade. This forces Theekshana to have extra responsibility on his shoulders alongside the part timers of the lineup to step up big time against an Afghan unit that recently came on top in the UAE as they defeated Pakistan by 2-1 in a T20i series. The spinners however, will have to content with the furious wind that blows at this venue, as a result, they try and force the batters to slog towards the bigger part of the ground, and get rewarded. This can work in favour of Hasaranga who tends to flight the ball more, and can be a great confidence booster for the Challenger.
This ODI series has alot at stake specially for a side like Srilanka. While their opponents have already gone through to the ODI World Cup to be held in India later this year, the Shanaka led unit despite all the hurdles they have faced, are yet to qualify. It boils down to how they have competed less in this format and is also a result of their inconsistencies. They have most certainly fallen behind and this 3 match series gives them a golden opportunity to get back in the groove against the Afghan boys, who are ever improving regardless of where they play. For Afghanistan, this is their first serious preparation for the World Cup in October-November.
*SRILANKA PROBABLE XI:*
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(wk), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dhananjaya DeSilva, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha/Matheesha Pathirana
As a selector, I wouldn’t wait to unleash a gun player like Pathirana straight away. The reason why he has been picked in this squad is down to what different he offers than the other pacers in Srilanka and what better than to give him a debut in Srilanka itself against a relatively weaker unit. He is coming on the back of a stellar IPL season, having done tremendously well at the death for CSK. He can replicate something similar for the Lankans as well, if backed rightly and used with proper effect.
This series is going to mark the resurgence of Dimuth as an ODI batter and the thought that would have gone behind this thinking could be to use him as a technically solid anchor who looks to play through, so that Srilanka are not hurt by cluster of wickets falling at one time. This also gives them the flexibility to give a straight bold order to their lower order batting to go out there and whack, to collect as many runs as possible towards the last 10 overs phase.
One very interesting feature about this Srilankan side is their ability to bat deep. Hasaranga who is more than just a slogger, comes out to bat at No8, which is a huge bonus. The invaluable experience of the likes of Mathews and Mendis at the top could prove to be vital, especially at their home ground, and with a World Cup approaching. If they do well, Afghanistan would be right under the pump from the word “go”.
*AFGH PROBABLE XI:*
Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi
The pair of Fareed and Faruq is expected to open the bowling and with the left arm angle that they bring in, it could pose a threat to Srilanka’s right centric batting order, with Karunaratne at the top being the only exception.
Noor-Nabi-Mujeeb- this trio is as good as it gets for spin bowling and Afghanistan are privileged to have them on board, with Rashid waiting in the wings (missing out due to an injury). On a slowish pitch at Hambantota, SL need to play this trio out well to negate all sorts of threat that come their way which they are likely to throw at this experienced lineup.
Noor Ahmed will be keenly watched because of what he offered in the shortest format lately in the IPL. It would be interesting to see if the youngster will be able to transfer his form into the longer format, the ODIs and a good start this series could make a case for him later in India for the WC.
On a ground where the average total varies around 260-280, the trio of Gurbaz-Ibrahim-Najibullah will hold key. Gurbaz is coming off decent nick with KKR at the IPL while the other two will look to shed off their rustiness and get into the act soon. The finishing touch of Nabi will bolster Afgh’s batting.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR SRILANKA:*
Highest run getter- Pathum Nissanka/Angelo Mathews
Highest wicket taker- Dushmatha Chameera/Wanindu Hasaranga
*FOR AFGHANISTAN:*
Highest run getter- Rehmatullah Gurbaz/Mohammad Nabi
Highest wicket taker- Mujeeb ur Rehman/Fazalhaq Farooqi
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Srilanka to emerge victorious because of the superiority of their batting in an otherwise even bowling groups likely to come up against one another.