We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Probable XIs
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai/Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad
Pitch Report
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
(Based on the last 3 games)
1st innings average score: 262
2nd innings average score: 197
Wickets per innings: 9
Type: Batting gets more challenging as the game progresses.
Weather: Slightly cloudy. No heavy rain is forecast.
Wins
Batting 1st: 67%
Batting 2nd: 33%
Fantasy Tip of the Day
In the last 3 games, 29 wickets fell in the second innings. The pitch has a reputation for opening up, providing more assistance to the spinners.
Smart Picks
Mohammad Nabi has featured in the Ultimate Team in his last 4 ODIs, managing 10 wickets. Against Sri Lanka, he has scored 84 runs and taken 6 wickets in 4 games.
In his last 5 ODIs, Kusal Mendis has managed 249 runs at an average of 83. At the venue, he has collected 354 runs in 13 outings.
Against Zimbabwe earlier this year, Rahmat Shah scored the most runs: 198 runs at an average of 66. In 2022, he has smashed 484 runs at 54.
Rashid Khan has not gone wicketless in 2022. In 9 ODIs, he has scalped 18 wickets at an average of 19.
Dunith Wellalage has been spectacular with both bat and ball of late. In the 5-ODI series against Australia, he took 9 wickets. With the bat, he has scored 194 runs at an average of 49 in his last 5 First-Class games.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has scored 2 hundreds in 9 games this year. Overall, he has scored 276 runs at an average of 35.
At the venue, Dasun Shanaka has scored 332 runs including a hundred and 2 fifties. He may not be bowling as consistently as he once did, but expect him to chip in with a few overs if his mainstay bowlers fail to deliver.
Of late, Pathum Nissanka has been one of the safest picks in fantasy cricket, thanks to his careful approach. In 2022, he has scored 3 fifties and a hundred.