Looking to maintain their semi-finals hopes alive, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will face one another within the thirtieth match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on October 30, beginning at 2:00 PM IST. After beating England and Pakistan, Afghanistan moved as much as seventh spot within the World Cup 2023 factors desk, notching 4 factors with a web run price of -0.969. They have been defeated by Bangladesh, India and New Zealand earlier within the event.

Sri Lanka, too have registered two victories in 5 matches on this World Cup. The Lankans misplaced their first three matches, happening towards South Africa, Pakistan and Australia. However, they bounced again with back-to-back convincing wins towards the Netherlands and England.

Led by Lahiru Kumara’s 3/35, Sri Lanka bowled out England for 156 of their newest match. Kasun Rajitha and Angelo Mathews additionally chipped in with two wickets, every, whereas Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Mark Wood. Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama have been magnificent within the run chase for Sri Lanka with a 137-run partnership, taking them to an eight-wicket victory with 146 balls to spare.

Angelo Matthews, who changed the injured Matheesha Pathirana, is predicted to maintain his place within the taking part in XI after a formidable bowling efficiency. The Kusal Mendis-led Sri Lanka may subject the identical taking part in XI, as from their win versus England, in an all-Asian encounter towards Afghanistan on Monday.

Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka slammed his fourth half-century in a row within the victory towards England along with his World Cup 2023 greatest rating, an unbeaten 77. The 25-year-old opener averages 60.75 with a strike-rate of 91.35 whereas scoring 243 runs within the event. Nissanka has made two fifties in seven earlier ODIs towards Afghanistan.

Kusal Perera, however, hasn’t been scoring freely on this World Cup with solely 94 runs in 5 matches. However, he’s a big-match participant and averages 42.66 towards Afghanistan on this format.

The Sri Lankan openers will look to money in early within the innings as run-scoring is less complicated towards the brand new ball at Pune.

Middle order: Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama

Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama are the lynchpins within the Sri Lankan center order in ODI cricket.

Samarawickrama has amassed 295 runs in 5 matches, topping the run-scoring charts for the workforce on this event. He slammed a ton towards Pakistan whereas scoring an unbeaten 91 and 65 in wins towards the Netherlands and England, respectively.

Skipper Mendis, in the meantime, has been on the forefront along with his swashbuckling batting within the World Cup 2023. The wicketkeeper-batter has piled on 229 runs at a commendable strike-rate of 142.23 whereas averaging 45.80. Mendis’ greatest knock was a 77-ball 122 towards Pakistan.

The duo, aided by their fast scoring within the center overs, might help Sri Lanka take the higher hand within the center overs.

All-rounders: Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews

Charith Asalanka has made 669 runs in 27 ODIs in 2023, averaging 35.21 and registering 4 fifties. One of these half-centuries, a 79, got here towards South Africa on this World Cup, albeit in a dropping trigger. He additionally notched 25+ scores in two of three different innings.

On the opposite hand, Dhananjaya de Silva has scored solely 73 runs in 4 innings. While the off-spinning all-rounder hasn’t been at his greatest to date, the circumstances in Pune will swimsuit his recreation. Angelo Mathews bowled a spell of 5-1-14-2 in his first match, the victory towards England.

The selection introduced by the Sri Lankan all-rounders will probably be helpful towards Afghanistan in Pune.

Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera

Dilshan Madushanka has spearheaded the Lankan bowling within the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with 11 wickets in 5 matches. The 23-year-old left-arm seamer took 4 wickets for 49 runs towards the Netherlands in Lucknow. Pune will supply related circumstances with the brand new ball, making him a possible risk to the Afghan high order.

Kasun Rajitha, in the meantime, has scalped seven wickets whereas additionally choosing up a four-for towards the Dutch facet. Maheesh Theekshana has three wickets to his identify to date. Right-arm pacer Dushmantha Chameera, who was named substitute for injured Lahiru Kumara is predicted to be drafted into the taking part in eleven.

The mix of Sri Lanka’s pacers and seamers will probably be a significant problem for Afghanistan at Pune on Monday.

Sri Lanka’s Predicted Playing XI

Pathum Nissanka

Kusal Perera

Kusal Mendis (c & wk)

Sadeera Samarawickrama

Charith Asalanka

Dhananjaya de Silva

Angelo Mathews

Maheesh Theekshana

Kasun Rajitha

Dilshan Madushanka

Dushmantha Chameera