Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2023: Squads, Schedule,Live Streaming and All you need to know

From June 2 to June 7, Sri Lanka will host Afghanistan in a three-match one-day international (ODI) series. Three 50-over matches will be played in Hambantota at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka’s current ODI form is fairly average. New Zealand recently defeated Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series in New Zealand by a score of 2-0. They were defeated by the Kiwis in both the two-match Test series and the three-match T20I series. In January 2023, they were swept by India in a three-match ODI series, losing 3-0.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, last participated in an ODI series against Sri Lanka in November 2022, resulting in a 1-1 stalemate. In June 2022, Afghanistan swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in a three-match ODI series. In March 2023, they defeated Pakistan 2-1 in a three-match T20I series, signifying their first victory in the limited-overs format against the neighboring nation. On the basis of their current T20 form, Afghanistan are anticipated to provide formidable opposition to the hosts in the upcoming bilateral match.

Both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan possess a handful of match-winners. Opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne is a surprise inclusion to Sri Lanka’s squad. The 35-year-old’s consistent performance in red-ball cricket is readily transferable to white-ball play.

Matheesha Pathirana, meanwhile, is a crucial addition to the squad after his stellar performance for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the recently concluded 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). The 20-year-old, who won his first championship in the prestigious division, hopes to perform well in the upcoming series against Afghanistan.

Afghani wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be the player to monitor. The youth performed admirably for the two-time champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2023. The efforts of 18-year-old Noor Ahmad in the IPL 2023 have also established him on the international stage. He was instrumental in Gujarat Titans (GT) reaching the IPL finals.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2023: Schedule and Venue Details

Date	Match	Venue	Time
02 June	1st ODI	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium	10:00 AM
04 June	2nd ODI	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium	10:00 AM
07 June	3rd ODI	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium	10:00 AM

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2023: Squad Details

Sri Lanka

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (vc & wk), Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana

Afghanistan

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, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik.

Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar