Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup - Afghanistan tipped to upset the odds

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 03 Jun 2019

Ralph Staniforth 03 Jun 2019

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Atrocious form set to continue for Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens

Expired

Afghanistan on their way to beating Sri Lanka in their last ODI in 2018 (Getty Images)

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup Preview, Predictions, Betting Tips & Live Stream

Sri Lanka face Afghanistan in their second 2019 Cricket World Cup game at Sophia Gardens in what is a crucial game for both sides. Neither got a victory in their first match with Sri Lanka particularly disappointing, so I am tipping Afghanistan to win at 2.00.

I believe Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne who has scored three 50+ scores in his last four innings deserves to be backed at 1.90 to get over 35.5 runs once again.

Afghanistan Form & Team News

Afghanistan lost their opening World Cup game to Australia by seven wickets at County Ground, Bristol. Despite defeat Afghanistan acquitted themselves quite well against one of the World Cup favourites.

They lost early wickets but reached a total of 207 with Najibullah Zadran scoring 51. With the ball Afghanistan struggled initially but managed to take three wickets before Australia reached the total.

Afghanistan cricket is on the up and will fancy themselves against their sub-continental rivals who don’t possess the outright pace of Australia. The Afghans beat Sri Lanka in the last match they played in 2018 and come up against a team in terrible form.

Afghanistan has been made slight underdogs for this match but I feel there is value in an Afghanistan at 2.00 considering the poor run and general lack of quality of their opponents.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka last odi — Afghanistan are tipped for win as Sri Lanka's poor form is set to continue (Getty Images)

Sri Lanka Form & Team News

Sri Lanka come into this match on the back of a 10 wicket defeat to New Zealand in their World Cup opener. On a very good batting surface at Sophia Gardens they failed to get going and were bowled out for 136.

Dimuth Karunaratne was the only batsman to look comfortable in his 52. The Sri Lankan bowlers hardly threatened the New Zealand openers and failed to take a single wicket.

Sri Lanka lost in their last outing against Afghanistan and are on a run of nine defeats in their last 10 ODI's. While they are slight favourites at 1.80 to win I feel that is too risky.

I prefer to focus on Dimush Karunaratne who has three fifties in his last four innings so I am tipping him to continue his form and score over 35.5 runs at 1.90.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Head to Head

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have played each other on three occasions with Sri Lanka holding a 2-1 advantage. Their last encounter in 2018 saw Afghanistan win comfortably in Abu Dhabi.

Batting first, Afghanistan scored 259 with Rahmat Shah top scoring with 72. They then dismissed Sri Lanka for 158 as Rashid Khan took 2-26.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live Stream

You can watch the South Africa vs Bangladesh 2019 Cricket World Cup match with bet365 via live streaming. Please see the terms and conditions at bet365 before attempting to watch the match on your iPhone, iPad, Android device of computer.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Match Up

Afghanistan impressed despite defeat to Australia in their World Cup opener. They showed they could handle the bat against the fast bowlers while their spinners did a decent job on the bowling front.

The key to Sri Lanka succeeding lies with Lasith Malinga getting wickets and Angelo Mathews scoring runs. They have very little in terms of world class players and I feel they will finish bottom at this year’s World Cup.

sri lanka vs new zealand Dimuth Karunaratne — Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne is in good form and was the only batsman who looked good against New Zealand (Getty Images)

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Key Statistics

Afghanistan won their last ODI against Sri Lanka (2018).
Sri Lanka have lost 9 of their last 10 ODI matches.
Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne has scored 50+ runs in 3 of his last 4 innings’.

Verdict

With Sri Lanka in terrible form having lost nine of their last 10 ODI matches, I am tipping Afghanistan to win at 2.00.

Sri Lankan opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has scored 50+ runs in three of his last four innings so I am backing him at 1.90 to score over 35.5 runs.

Best Bet: Afghanistan Win @ 2.00 at bet365 - 4 Units

Over/Under Tip: Dimuth Karunaratne Over 35.5 Runs @ 1.90 at bet365 - 3 Units