Afghanistan will take on Sri Lanka in the 30th match of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Monday. Both of these two teams have won two out of the five games they have played and it will be a crucial fixture for them.

Afghanistan had stunned Pakistan by eight wickets in their last game and they will look to continue the good show. In fact, Afghanistan recently almost defeated Sri Lanka in the group stage of the Asia Cup and they will aim to replicate the same kind of performance.

Mohammed Nabi was magnificent as he blasted 65 runs but the Lankans went on to win by two runs. On the other hand, Sri Lanka also shocked the reigning champions England by eight wickets in their previous game as they came up with an impressive bowling show.

Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the Islanders’ bowlers but he has also joined the team’s long list of injured players. Dushmantha Chameera has been named as the replacement and he will look to hit the ground running after coming back from injury layoff. Furthermore, Angelo Mathews made a fine return as he scalped two wickets.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s batting unit had delivered against Pakistan as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Rahmat Shah all scored runs as they came up with a collective effort.

Match Prediction: Sri Lanka will enter the contest as favorites against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.

Sri Lanka Squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne