🏏Cricket World Cup 2023: Match #30: AFG vs SL on 30 Oct 🏏 - Page 3

Thank you for the tag, Raji!

Originally posted by: Moonks

https://twitter.com/mufaddal_vohra/status/1718857869997855181?t=G4sF0N1FqhjLOkgCawp5Rw&s=19

The bottom 4 pointers is 100% possible but what about the first 2 pointers?

They can defeat Ban and Eng, but what about NZ?

Also, how do you expect Eng, Afg and Ban to defeat Australia?

thanks for the tag.

really dunno whom to root for today

Originally posted by: Moonks

https://twitter.com/icelandcricket/status/1718685269795258609?t=Svo44vo_g21DNVX4HiaxiQ&s=19

Iceland's official handle is so entertaining

Imbued with Quaint playfulness

Our correspondent, Gokul Gopal, pings from the venue: Greetings from Pune! Afghanistan captain Shahidi said yesterday he expected the pitch to be skiddy and also pointed that dew could be a factor. Expect Afghanistan to play one spinner less. For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera is set to feature in the playing XI. He was a travelling reserve with the SL team before being roped into the squad after the injury to Lahiru Kumara.

Keeping the skiddy nature of Pune surface in mind, Fazalhaq Farooqi is likely to return to Afghanistan’s playing XI but who will make way for him? Will it be Mujeeb or will it be Noor Ahmad? Tough call to make for them. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have been been dealt with another injury blow. Lahiru Kumar, the Player of the Match, in their previous game against England has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury. He has been replaced by Dushmantha Chameera in the squad and he is probably going to slot straight into the side. Both teams still have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals but a loss today will seriously dent their chances. Expect a cracking contest! Toss and team lineups coming up shortly...

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, lost their first three games of the tournament. However, back-to-back victories against Netherlands and England respectively has provided them the thrust they needed. They coasted to a fairly comfortable victory against the Dutch but their show against the Englishmen stole the limelight. They knocked over the defending champions for a paltry total and chased the total down in a jiffy. Such a performance lifts the spirit of the entire team and that holds them in good stead.

Two teams which were struggling initially have kept their hopes alive by registering a couple of wins each – in focus are Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and they square up against each other in Pune. Afghanistan lost three out of their five games comprehensively but their performances against England and Pakistan have been top notch. Against England, their spinners weaved their magic enabling them to defend a competitive total. And against Pakistan, a clinical show from their top four batters helped them cruise to victory. The thing they will strive for is consistency and can’t afford a slip-up at such a crucial juncture of the tournament.

Originally posted by: Vedika.Kapoor

thanks for the tag.

really dunno whom to root for today

That is the root cause of your boredom

Sri Lanka are fifth, Afghanistan are seventh, both are four points off the top four having played a game less than those above them. Crucially, though, their net run rates are fair bit below those in the semifinal spots, which means that even with a win today for either side qualifying for the semis is still a bit of a long shot. But, just like that, the ICC dropped a big ol' plot twist yesterday, confirming that the top seven sides in this tournament - along with hosts Pakistan - will qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. As if this game needed more edge to it. Good afternoon folks, this is Madushka Balasuriya and along with Rvel Zahid, we'll be bringing you all the action today as Sri Lanka take on Afghanistan in Pune.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx-e7FxNPjN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Two teams which were struggling initially have kept their hopes alive by registering a couple of wins each – in focus are Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and they square up against each other in Pune. Afghanistan lost three out of their five games comprehensively but their performances against England and Pakistan have been top notch. Against England, their spinners weaved their magic enabling them to defend a competitive total. And against Pakistan, a clinical show from their top four batters helped them cruise to victory. The thing they will strive for is consistency and can’t afford a slip-up at such a crucial juncture of the tournament.