As the SL vs AFG ODI series approaches, Sri Lanka has announced its squad for the matches commencing on February 9, 2024. Leading the team will be Kusal Mendis, with Charith Asalanka serving as vice-captain. Notably, former captain and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has been omitted from the lineup, as the team aims to maintain the winning momentum from their recent ODI series victory against Zimbabwe.

The squad boasts established players like Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Avishka Fernando, alongside emerging talents such as Shevon Daniel and Janith Liyange. Renowned for its spin prowess, Sri Lanka’s squad features key spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dhananjaya, and the promising Dunith Wellalage, who impressed during the Asia Cup 2023.

Absent from the squad is all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, last seen representing Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup 2023. In his place, Chamika Karunaratne joins the team to bolster the pace bowling unit, alongside Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, and Pramod Madushan. Matheesha Pathirana remains sidelined due to a shoulder injury.

Following a dominant 10-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test match, Sri Lanka now turns its focus to the white-ball leg of the tour. The ODI series, spanning from February 9 to February 14, will take place at the Pallekele International Stadium in Pallekele, before transitioning to Dambulla for the T20Is.

Afghanistan, under Hashmatullah Shahidi’s leadership, seeks to maintain their winning momentum against Sri Lanka, although they’ll miss Rashid Khan due to his ongoing back injury. Having triumphed over Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup 2023, Afghanistan aims to replicate their past success. Sri Lanka’s lackluster performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 led to a ninth-place finish, marred by injuries to key players.

Despite their setbacks, Sri Lanka staged a commendable comeback in the ODI series against Zimbabwe, clinching victory with a 2-0 scoreline. Kusal Mendis and Janith Liyange emerged as standout performers, leading the run charts with 129 and 119 runs respectively from three matches. Afghanistan, rapidly emerging as a cricketing force, recently challenged India in a T20I series and displayed resilience in the sole Test match against Sri Lanka, albeit succumbing to a remarkable 10-wicket defeat.

Sri Lanka’s ODI Squad for Afghanistan Series

Kusal Mendis (Captain), Charith Asalanka (Vice-Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Sahan Arachchige, Akila Dananjaya, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Shevon Daniel.

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