ODI Series: Sri Lanka is set to ramp up its Cricket World Cup qualifier preparations with a three-match ODI series at home against Afghanistan. Emerging pacer Mathisha Pathirana could make his ODI debut after an impressive title-winning IPL season as he was included in the 16-man squad for the first two ODIs of the Afghanistan series.
Matheesha Pathirana Known as ‘Baby Malinga’ for his similar half round-arm action, Pathirana has been capped for Sri Lanka in T20Is but is yet to feature in the longer formats. Dushmantha Chameera, who is making a comeback after a long injury lay-off, will lead the pace attack.
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While Sri Lanka have looked to youngsters to impress, they have also roped in the experience of Dimuth Karunaratne, who last played for the Islanders in the 50-over format in 2021, to bolster their batting.
Kusal Perera was ruled out of the team with a hamstring injury, paving the way for Sadera Samarawickrama to return to the ODI side after four years.
Dasun Shanaka will lead the team in the ODI series starting June 2 in Hambantota, which will be the perfect dress rehearsal for Sri Lanka before they travel to Zimbabwe for the World Cup qualifiers.
Sri Lanka Squad ODIs against Afghanistan: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajit
Afghanistan Squads for ODI Against SriLanka.
When Afghanistan heads to Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI series against the island nation next month, its pre-World Cup preparations will pick up steam.
A strong team of 15 players and four reserves were named by the selectors on Monday for the three-match series beginning in Hambantota on June 2. Afghanistan will be led by seasoned left-back Hashmatullah Shahidi during the tour.
Shaheedullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rehman Akbar, and Gulbadin Naib have been benched in favor of young all-rounder Abdul Rehman, who has returned after some impressive showings in Afghanistan’s local one-day cup tournament.
Afghanistan Squad ODIs against Sri Lanka:
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.
Stand By: Gulbadin Naib, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar.
Sri lanka vs Afghanistan ODI Series schedule
First ODI: June 2, Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Second ODI: June 4, Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Third ODI: June 7, Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota.
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