Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI: Hambantota Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Forecast & Record

Dasun Shanaka’s men suffered a 6-wicket loss to Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Afghanistan in the first ODI at the same venue in Hambantota on Friday (June 2) before the hosts bounced back with a massive 132-run win in the second ODI also at the same venue on Sunday (June 4).

After Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis smashed fifties to take Sri Lanka to 323/6 in the allotted 50 overs, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva did the damage with the ball to bundle out Afghanistan for 191 in 42.1 overs, levelling the series 1-1.

Earlier in the first ODI, Charith Asalanka’s 91 helped the hosts set a target of 269, while left-arm pacers Fazalhaq Farooqui and Fareed Ahmed took two wickets each for Afghanistan.

In response, Ibrahim Zadran (98 off 98 balls) and Rahmat Shah (55 off 80 balls) shared a 146-run stand as the visitors went on to complete the run chase with 19 balls to spare. For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha claimed two wickets and debutant Matheesha Pathirana also took a wicket.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will clash for the third time at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, where the hosts don’t possess a great record, having won 10 and lost 9 matches so far with one match ending in No Result.

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium has hosted 23 ODI matches so far with most recent being on Sunday (June 4), when Sri Lanka played hosts to Afghanistan in back-to-back two ODIs.

Here is a look at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Stats, Record, Pitch Report and Hambantota Weather Forecast ahead of Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI:

Hambantota Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Info

Seating Capacity: 35,000

Number of matches hosted: 23 ODIs and 7 T20Is

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Pitch Report

The wicket used in the first two matches saw more than 500 runs scored. While the quick bowlers found early assistance, the wicket got easier to bat as the match progressed in both the innings.

In the first ODI, the Afghanistan spinners found more success than the Sri Lankan tweakers in the. But the Lankan spinners came to the party in the second ODI, in which they played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s win.

In the 20 One Day International matches completed at the venue, the team chasing and batting first had almost identical success. The wicket for the third ODI will also be similar, but with possibility of rain, we may have a truncated match.

Hambantota Weather Forecast for Wednesday, June 7

As per AccuWeather, there is prediction for showers around 12 PM. So, expect some ininterruption during the match as the forecast says Wednesday (June 7) will be partly sunny with thunderstorms and max temperature is expected to be 33^o C.

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium ODI Stats and Record

Matches: 23

Sri Lanka Won: 10

Sri Lanka Lost: 9

Visiting Team Won: 9

Afghanistan Won: 1

Afghanistan Lost: 1

Neutral Side Won: 1

No Result: 3

Matches Won Batting 1st: 9

Sri Lanka Won Batting First: 6

Matches Won Batting 2nd: 11

Sri Lanka Won Batting 2nd: 4

Highest Team Total: 368/4 by Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in 2015

Lowest Team Total: 112 All Out by Kenya vs Pakistan in 2011

Highest Run Chase: 312/2 by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in 2017

Lowest Total Defended: 286/9 by Sri Lanka vs Australia in 2011

Average 1st Innings Score: 254

Highest Individual Score: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 133 vs India in 2012

Most Runs: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 721 runs in 13 innings

Most Wickets: Thisira Perera (Sri Lanka) – 18 wickets in 12 matches

Best Bowling Innings: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 5 for 16 vs Kenya in 2011

Total Sixes in ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium: 115

Total Fours in ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium: 937

Most Sixes in ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium: Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – 8

Most Fours in ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium: Kumar Sangakkara & Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 71

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan ODI Head to Head

Matches: 9

Sri Lanka Won: 5

Afghanistan Won: 3

No Result: 1

Highest Total For Sri Lanka: 323/6 in 50 overs

Highest Total For Afghanistan: 313/8 in 50 overs

Lowest Total For Sri Lanka: 158 All Out in 41.2 overs

Lowest Total For Afghanistan: 152 All Out in 32.4 overs (DLS)

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan ODI Head to Head record in Hambantota

Played: 2

Sri Lanka Won: 1

Afghanistan Won: 1

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI Date, Timing and Telecast Info

Match Date: Wednesday, June 7

Match Start Time: 10 AM IST

Live Streaming: Sony LIV & Fancode App or Website