The Sri Lanka cricket team will be hosting Afghanistan for a three-match ODI series, starting on Friday, June 2.

The upcoming series between these two Asian countries will be the second time that Sri Lanka is hosting the Afghans having previously done so in November 2022.

The last series between these teams ended in a 1-1 draw after the second match was washed out due to rain. 

The Afghans had won the first match of the 2022 series between the sides but Sri Lanka won the third to deny the tourists a famous series victory away from home.

The upcoming series between these teams also promises to be a tight one. Afghanistan is currently eighth in the ICC ODI team rankings while Sri Lanka is one place below them in the ninth spot.

This series will serve as preparation for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 which Sri Lanka will be a part of later in June. Afghanistan has already earned a direct entry in the 2023 OD World Cup later this year.

As far as the head-to-head between these teams is concerned, Sri Lanka has won four times whereas Afghanistan has two wins. 

Sri Lanka will be led by skipper Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis will be the Lankans’ vice-captain.

Sri Lanka’s Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana also make a return to the national team’s ODI squad. 

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will have Hashmatullah Shahidi as their captain and Rahmat Shah will be the vice-captain.

All-rounder Abdul Rahman has received his maiden call-up to the squad after strong performances in the domestic circuit.

Furthermore, the Afghans have gone with a strong spin attack for Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly pitches. They boast the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

All matches in this three-game ODI series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium.

Where to watch Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2023 ODI series live in India?

Live streaming of Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2023 ODI series will be available on the FanCode app and website.

There will be no live telecast of Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan ODIs 2023 series on any TV channel in India.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2023 ODI series schedule and match start times in India

As per Indian Standard Times (IST)

Start Date

Match

Venue

Time

Friday, June 2

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, first ODI match

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

2:30 PM

Sunday, June 4

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, second ODI match

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

2:30 PM

Wednesday, June 7

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, third ODI match

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

2:30 PM

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2023 ODI series squads

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (vc & wk), Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi and Farid Ahmad Malik

Photo credit: Alamy