ICC Dream11 Daily Fantasy tips: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka
June 04, 2019
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

After starting off with a heavy loss in their respective opening matches, both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will look to secure their first points in the tournament when they face each other on June 4. Sri Lanka have won only two of their last 16 completed ODIs, and will be low on confidence after losing their World Cup opener by 10 wickets.

Afghanistan too lost their last game to Australia, but showed adequate resistance with the bat, and will look to carry on against a less threatening pace attack. However, the conditions at Cardiff might assist the seamers early on, and if Sri Lanka bowl first, their fast bowlers would be looking to make early inroads.

Predicted XI:
Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Hamid Hassan

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga

ICC Dream11 Preview:

Wicket keeper: Kusal Perera was one of the three Lankan batters who got to double digits in the last game. He bats at number 3, and if there is a flurry of wickets upfront, he has the potential to play a long innings, thus fetching crucial points in the fantasy side.

Batters: Karunaratne looked in good touch with an unbeaten half-century and carried his bat through against New Zealand. He will be aiming to replicate his recent form in the upcoming clash as well, while the two Afghans - Rahmat Shah and Zadran - have the potential to bat deep in the innings. The latter got to a fifty against Australia and hardly looked troubled against the pace of Pat Cummins or the spin of Adam Zampa, and with Sri Lanka’s bowling at times lacking that sting, the player might get another crucial knock under his belt.

All-rounders: Naib got together with Zadran in the first game to help take the Afghan score over 200, while the inclusion of Thisara Perera and Nabi should not spark a doubt. The duo have been the go-to players for their respective sides, with Perera shining in 2018 and Nabi walking into the World Cup after a good Indian Premier League. Nabi can strike in the middle overs, while Perera would hope the conditions can assist him.

Bowlers: As the track in Cardiff might assist the seamers upfront, including Malinga and Dawlat Zadran and Hamid Hassan is a wise move. They might get ball to nip around initially, while Rashid Khan, the world no. 3 bowler did struggle against the Aussies but he is likely to be m ore effective against the Lankans.

Captain: Mohammad Nabi
VC: Thisara Perera