*SRILANKA VS AFGHANISTAN PREVIEW- 3rd ODI*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Srilanka came up with a strong response, putting up a dominant show in the second ODI to claw their way back into this series. They gave Afghanistan a mighty 132 run beating, levelling the three match affair with a game to go now. Srilanka’s top 4 showed promise coupled with their bowling attack, Hasaranga, Chameera and the slow spin of De Silva broke the back of the Afghans, leaving them pondering over what needs to be worked upon come the third and the final game of this competitive series.
The pitch that will be used is the same as the first two ODIs, but a possibility of rain hindrance may lead to a cut short game. The side that decides to bowl first is expected to get more favours out of the pitch given the weather gods are likely to interrupt the smooth proceedings. Otherwise, while the spin trio of Afghanistan ruled the rooster in the first ODI, the Lankans were quick to bounce back with their strength in the second. It will be fascinating to see which one of these attacks comes out on top in this much awaited decider of a clash.
The team that emerges victorious after this series will take in the much needed confidence given this is a World Cup year. A Lanka win should boost their morale to thrash all oppositions in the qualifiers before the major event in India however an Afghanistan win will only go onto prove the rich credentials of this unit in world cricket in recent times.
*AFGH PROBABLE XI:*
Rahmatullah Gurbaz(wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed, Fareed Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Superstar Rashid Khan, has been out of action ever since the IPL final and looks like we are in for an even greater wait as the injury that he has incurred is expected to last for a longer duration, with him likely to miss out on the third game as well. This is a big blow for Afghanistan given they needed their stars for the decider.
Rahmatullah Gurbaz has been sent packing in the first powerplay itself, in both the games. The Afghan would hope to turn this around and strike gold in the much anticipated game, lengthening his stay at the crease- proving his experience.
With clouds howering over and rain predicted, the Afghan seamers could come to the party and wreck damage to this SL lineup. Keep your eyes fixed on FazalHaq Farooqi, who has the ability to swing the ball both ways and keep the batters guessing with the different angles with which he bowls.
*SL 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
I don’t expect SL to make any changes to their XI, specially in their bowling lineup, after the kind of performance they came up with the other day.
With the conditions expected to favour the pacers, Both Rajitha and Chameera could be lethal and tough to handle.
SL were bolstered by the return of both Theekshana and Hasaranga in their lineup and with the duo accounting for 4 wickets collectively, Srilanka would feel much more confident ahead of this decider. Hasaranga was responsible for cleaning up the tail of Afghanistan and came good after a disappointing IPL season, the value that he brings to this side is immense and as a premier wicket taker, his contributions will be key again.
Super excited to watch Kusal Mendis go about his business. He has the perfect gameplay to come clutch in this format of the game and has shown innumerable number of times how dangerous he can be in the ODIs. Coming on the back of an impressive 78 off 75 and with a good record at home (nearly 38), Afghanistan need to send him packing early to gain control over this game.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR AFGH:*
Highest run getter- Rahmat Shah/Hashmatullah Shahidi
Highest wicket taker- Noor Ahmed/Fazalhaq Farooqi
*FOR SL:*
Highest run getter- Kusal Mendis/Angelo Mathews
Highest wicket taker- Dushmatha Chameera/Wanindu Hasaranga
*FOR THE GAME:*
Expect a close contest where SL could emerge victorious.