Baptism of fire for DDS, as Sri Lanka set to meet Afghans in one-off Test
A new era of Sri Lankan cricket begins in Colombo this week when Dhananjaya de Silva leads is team in a one-off Test against Afghanistan.The match–the first between the two nations–will begin on Friday at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) where the 32-year-old all-rounder will lead his charges for the first time in a Test. He replaced Dimuth Karunaratne who was more than happy to pass on the baton to his deputy, giving him enough time to marshall his troops in the new World Test Championships cycle.
Sri Lanka last played a Test series in July last year, and despite hosting both games at the spin-friendly Galle Stadium, lost both games to Pakistan with big margins, missing out on a great opportunity to add points to the WTC points table.
They currently sit bottom of the table in the 2023-25 WTC cycle and are the only team who are yet to score a point.
The match against Afghanistan will, however, not be a part of the WTC cycle. The Test is the first leg of an all-format series between the two sides, with three ODIs and three T20Is to follow. The tour will wrap up with the final T20I in Dambulla on February 21.
Afghanistan last played a Test match in June 2023 and was beaten by 546 runs by Bangladesh in Mirpur. Although they are yet to stamp their authority in the longer format, this fixture promises to be a fascinating clash given Afghanistan’s remarkable ascent in the limited-over format. Their team, led by the charismatic Rashid Khan, has showcased their prowess in white-ball cricket. But with just seven matches under their belt, Tests present a unique challenge.
Both teams have not announced their team competing in Colombo. Afghanistan’s strength lies in their spin department, with the likes of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi posing a formidable threat. The slow and turning tracks at the SSC might play to their advantage, and the Sri Lankan batsmen will need to be on their guard against such bowling wizardry.
However, Rashid’s availability for the Test is in doubt. The veteran spinner withdrew from the Pakistan Super League as he continues to take a cautious approach in his return from back surgery. He travelled to India with his Afghanistan teammates during their T20 series earlier this month but was not deemed fit enough to play, having previously withdrawn from both the Big Bash League and the SA20.
Afghanistan’s team is brimming with young talent, with players like Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi making their mark in the longer format. Sri Lanka will look to exploit their limited exposure and experience in the longer format to their advantage, as they look to make a winning start to the year.
Sri Lanka has a track record of being formidable in their home conditions. The familiarity with the SSC ground and the local conditions could provide them with a significant edge.
The Sri Lankan bowling lineup, featuring stalwarts like Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando, have the experience and skill to dismantle opposition batting lineups. Their ability to exploit the conditions and create pressure will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
Sri Lanka batting lineup has a mix of experienced and young talents. The likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, who was named in the ICC’s Test team of the year 2023, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and the skipper himself bring stability, while the youth, represented by players like Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrema, add dynamism to the team.
However, Sri Lanka has struggled with consistency in recent times, across all formats. Although they traditionally thrive on spin-friendly tracks, the team has shown vulnerability against quality spin bowling in the past.
The Sunday Times learns that the selectors have named a squad of 16 players, including three uncapped players in Lahiru Undara, Chamika Gunasekara and Milan Ratnayake.
| Probable Squad | |
| Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Milan Ratnayake, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Gunasekara
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