Sri Lanka Chooses to Bat; Qais Ahmad Joins Afghanistan’s Lineup

Sri Lanka’s captain, Kusal Mendis, elected to bat in the second ODI against Afghanistan at Pallekele. With the pitch favoring batting, Sri Lanka made one change, bringing in Asitha Fernando for the injured Dushmantha Chameera.

Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expressed confidence in his bowlers, stating they would have also chosen to bat first. In a strategic move Against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan replaced Fareed Ahmad with Qais Ahmad, adding an extra spinner to their lineup.

Pallekele experienced another warm and sunny day, with the pitch resembling the one from the first game, featuring slightly greener grass and some cracks. According to Russell Arnold’s pitch report, the conditions suggested a par score of 300-320, possibly not as high-scoring as the first ODI.

The lineups are as follows:

Sri Lanka:

1. Avishka Fernando
2. Pathum Nissanka
3. Kusal Mendis (capt, wk)
4. Sadeera Samarawickrama
5. Charith Asalanka
6. Janith Liyanage
7. Wanindu Hasaranga
8. Maheesh Theekshana
9. Asitha Fernando
10. Pramod Madushan
11. Dilshan Madushanka

Afghanistan:

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
2. Ibrahim Zadran
3. Rahmat Shah
4. Hashmatullah Shahidi
5. Ikram Alikhil
6. Azmatullah Omarzai
7. Gulbadin Naib
8. Mohammad Nabi
9. Qais Ahmad
10. Fazalhaq Farooqi
11. Fareed Ahmad