AFG vs SL, ICC World Cup 2019: Unchanged Afghanistan opt to field, Sri Lanka bring in Pradeep for Mendis

The biggest challenge for the Lankan Lions will be to improve in all the three departments to attain victory over Afghanistan, who undoubtedly have a well-rounded bowling attack.

Cardiff is all set to host its second game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 today. The match number seven of the mega fifty-overs tournament will see Afghanistan and Sri Lanka face off in. Today’s game is crucial as both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan were defeated in their opening fixtures of the tournament, and will be keen to claim their first points. Sri Lankan speedster and veteran bowler Lasith Malinga had said confidence will be the key in his side's CWC 2019 clash against Afghanistan, adding that the bowlers will play an important role in today’s match. The biggest challenge for the Lankan Lions will be to improve in all the three departments to attain victory over Afghanistan, who undoubtedly have a well-rounded bowling attack. Toss Update: Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib won the toss and opted to field first at Cardiff. Afghanistan decided to remain unchanged for today’s game against Sri Lanka. Gulbadin Naib: We want to bowl first. The conditions are good for the bowlers. It's a good toss to win. We struggled in the middle, we put a good total, but that wasn't good enough against a good team like Australia. Sri Lanka is a champion side. Dimuth Karunaratne: In the last game also we batted first. The batsmen have an idea how to bat here. It's (captaincy) not easy, it's a good challenge. They give me support. Jeevan Mendis is not playing. Pradeep is playing. Teams (Playing XI): Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Kusal Perera(w), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad(w), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib(c), Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Hamid Hassan