The Lankans would be optimistic because they have recently performed well in home ODIs.
Additionally, Rashid Khan’s services will be missed by the guests since he has been sidelined owing to health concerns.
Here is a sneak peek at the first scene while you wait.
Scene, pitch report, and streaming subtleties
The Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Arena will have the main ODI on February 9 (2:30pm IST).
As the track here is ordinarily on the more slow side, spinners can get a significant help.
Players showing application would be granted with runs.
Here is the straight on record
The different sides have met a multiple times in ODIs with SL driving the straight on record 7-4 (NR: 1).
Last year, SL beat the Afghan group 2-1 in the home ODI series.
Generally, SL have three successes and two losses against Afghanistan at home.
Nonetheless, their last ODI meeting, in the 2023 ODI WC, saw Afghanistan upset the Lankans.
AFG will be without Rashid Rashid is absent from the squad once more as he continues to recover from back surgery performed late last year.
Qais Ahmed has his spot as the wrist spinner in the crew.
In the mean time, the Lankan group would be certain, having crushed Zimbabwe 2-0 in the home ODI series last month.
Chief Kusal Mendis would need another series win added to his repertoire.
Here are the Likely XIs
Sri Lanka (Likely XI): Kusal Mendis (C & WK), Avishka Fernando, Shevon Daniel, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, and Dilshan Madushanka
Afghanistan, likely XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran.
A look at the key players Ibrahim Zadran led Afghanistan in ODI runs last year with 850 runs at 44.73.
Last year, Mujeeb took 22 ODI wickets with an impressive economy rate of 5.04.
Since the start of 2023, Kusal Mendis has scored 35.24 in 1,022 one-day international runs.
Asalanka has pounded 909 runs at 36.36 in this period.
Wanindu Hasaranga guaranteed a seven-wicket pull against Zimbabwe last month.