Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bowl in the first ODI against Sri Lanka played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Friday (Feb.09).

The one-off Test between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan saw the hosts coast home along expected lines. But the fight that Afghanistan showed with the bat in their second essay was a fair reflection of just how far this team has developed over the years.

As the action now shifts to the white-ball formats, expect the visitors to put forth an even more compelling case. A host of their players have gathered the experience of playing T20 leagues around the world and that aside, this series marks Afghanistan’s first taste of ODI action post a memorable World Cup where they made plenty of heads turn.

In fact, that was the last time these two teams faced off with the Afghans cruising to a victory in Pune having restricted the Sri Lankans to a middling total. These two teams have seen a fair bit of each other on Sri Lankan shores too, with Afghanistan touring for a one-day series for the third time in as many years now.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the team again and form the fulcrum of the middle-order alongside the experienced Rahmat Shah. The onus of providing a good start with the bat, however, rests on the shoulders of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, both of whom made a mark at the World Cup. With Gulbadin Naib, who was at his destructive best with the bat in the T20s in India last month returning to the setup, he adds plenty of muscle to the middle-order.

Speaking of the middle-order, all eyes will be on a certain Azmatullah Omarzai, whose stock has risen considerably after a breakout World Cup campaign. Omarzai, alongside Naib and Mohammad Nabi, lend plenty of all-round depth while the frontline bowling attack features Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman with Noor Ahmad expected to complete the lineup.

On Sri Lanka’s side, Pathum Nissanka, who missed the Zimbabwe ODIs with a bout of dengue, is back at the top while Dimuth Karunaratne has been handed a recall and could be in a shootout with Avishka Fernando for the second opener’s spot. Janith Liyanage, who was the Player of the Series in his first outing in ODIs against Zimbabwe, will slot into the middle-order although it remains to be seen if Sahan Arachchige retains his spot.

That is down to Wanindu Hasaranga’s presence, given that he can comfortably occupy the number 7 spot and free Sri Lanka up to field an extra bowler. Maheesh Theekshana remains Hasaranga’s partner-in-crime in the spin department while Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka lead a potent pace attack in its own right.

While Sri Lanka are playing at home, it isn’t going to be as straightforward as it may seem. There is barely a gap between these two teams and it’s not wrong to suggest that Afghanistan have been more confident and assured of their brand of cricket in recent times as far as the 50-over format is concerned.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(wk/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil(wk), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik

--with inputs from Sportskeeda