Afghanistan looks to secure a comforting victory as they bat; Sri Lanka introduces Wellalage and Dananjaya into the lineup
In the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat, aiming to secure a victory despite Sri Lanka's 2-0 lead in the series.
Both teams made two changes each. Afghanistan brought in seamer Fareed Ahmad and left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, replacing Noor Ahmad and Gulbadin Naib. Sri Lanka rested their spin duo, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, and included spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage and offspinner Akila Dananjaya.
Afghanistan's captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, highlighted the need for improved fielding, emphasizing the importance of avoiding dropped catches and building solid partnerships after losing consecutive wickets in the previous game.
Concerns about rain lingered earlier in the day, but the sun emerged, dispelling worries. The pitch, the same as the second ODI, was anticipated to be drier and slightly slower. Former cricketer Farveez Maharoof suggested a par score of 275-280, with dew potentially influencing conditions later in the match.
The expected playing XIs are as follows:
Sri Lanka:
Avishka Fernando
Pathum Nissanka
Kusal Mendis (capt, wk)
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Charith Asalanka
Janith Liyanage
Dunith Wellalage
Akila Dananjaya
Asitha Fernando
Pramod Madushan
Dilshan Madushanka
Afghanistan:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Ibrahim Zadran
Rahmat Shah
Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)
Ikram Alikhil (wk)
Azmatullah Omarzai
Sharafuddin Ashraf
Mohammad Nabi
Fareed Ahmad
Fazalhaq Farooqi
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