Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bowl first in the key clash against Sri Lanka at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje. Shahidi cited dew as the reason.

Both teams have won two matches out of five, and the winner will reach six points today, two behind third- and fourth-placed New Zealand and Australia. Sri Lanka’s net run rate (-0.205) is superior to Afghanistan’s (-0.969).

Afghanistan had played four spinners for their historic win against Pakistan at Chennai. Here, they left out left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad, their Player of the Match that day, for left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi. Their spin attack consists of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi.

Sri Lanka made two changes. Following Kusal Perera’s poor run at the top, they opted for the solidity of Dimuth Karunaratne, who is also renowned for his batting against spin.

The other change was forced. Lahiru Kumara, Player of the Match during Sri Lanka’s triumph over England, was ruled out of the World Cup. Dushmantha Chameera, his replacement in the squad, was included in the XI straight away.

Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, 2023 World Cup at Gahunje, squads:

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.