Afghanistan's Predicted XI vs Sri Lanka, Cricket World Cup 2023: Afghans To Continue With 3 Spinners?

Giant-killers Afghanistan go up against Sri Lanka in match no. 30 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Monday, October 30, from 2:00 PM IST at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. With wins against the Netherlands and England, Sri Lanka are currently fifth on the World Cup 2023 points table with four points and a net run rate of -0.205. The island nation lost their first three games - vs South Africa, Pakistan and Australia - but bounced back to win two in a row.

The Afghanistan team, meanwhile, had two unexpected victories against England in Delhi and Pakistan in Chennai, respectively, from their five matches in the tournament. Their net run rate, however, took a big hit in defeats against India and New Zealand, which sees them placed seventh in the points table.

In their latest match, Afghanistan spinners, headlined by Noor Ahmad, restricted Pakistan to 282/7 on a good batting surface at Chennai. Half-centuries from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah along with an unbeaten 48 from captain Hashmatullah Shahidi helped them make light work of the run chase to win by eight wickets.

Considering the conditions on offer at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, Afghanistan might be tempted to field the same playing XI against Sri Lanka in a must-win encounter for the two Asian sides.

Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran

Afghan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are their team's top run-getters in this tournament with 224 and 173 runs, respectively, in five matches.

Gurbaz smashed half-centuries in both of their wins in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He averages 44.80 while striking at over a run a ball so far.

Zadran, meanwhile, slammed a match-winning