Sri Lanka aware Afghanistan will be tougher opponents in ODIs

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

Sri Lanka overcame Afghanistan in the one-off Test match at SSC but captain Kusal Mendis is aware that when it comes to ODI cricket, they will be a different kettle of fish. Afghanistan have never won an ODI series against Sri Lanka. They travelled to the island for bilateral series in the last two years and while the 2022 series was levelled at 1-1, the 2023 series was won by Sri Lanka 2-1.

A lot has changed since then though. Afghanistan qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup directly while Sri Lanka had to play the Qualifiers. At the sport’s showpiece event, the Afghans finished a respectable 6th (equal on points with fifth placed Pakistan) while Sri Lanka finished a disappointing ninth.

While Afghanistan qualified for next year’s Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka were knocked out of the eight-nation event. It’s the first time they will not be taking part in an ICC event since Anura Tennakoon skippered the team in the inaugural World Cup in 1975.

“They are a good side and they have some new players who have done well in ODI cricket but we are confident of having a good series. These are our conditions and we know we can do well,” Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis told journalists.

Mendis felt that despite Rashid Khan, the opposition’s star bowler being not there, the Afghans will be tough to beat as quite a few of them have gained experience playing league cricket.

“Afghanistan are no longer a team that lacks experience. They play a lot of league cricket. In my eight years of international cricket, I have played only two leagues. Rahmanullah Gurbaz in a few years has played in so many leagues. They have competed against good players and played in all conditions. There’s not much of room for error with them,” Mendis explained.

The Sri Lankan captain also said the bigger picture for him in ODI cricket is to build up a strong side based on quality fast bowlers with an eye on the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. The event will be staged in South Africa.

“In the last two series, we played, we came close to winning, but we fell short. So, the motivation this time around for us is to win the series. The way we performed during the World Cup has given us the confidence that we can beat any side,” Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghan captain went onto say.

Sri Lanka (From):Kusal Mendis (Captain and wicketkeeper), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Shevon Daniel, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Akila Dananajya and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Afghanistan (From): Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad and Naveed Zadran.