Rashid Khan, Wanindu Hasaranga miss out first match of 3-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan

The international cricket action is back after an exciting 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) got over on May 30 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lifting the title for the 5th time. They defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by 5 wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are clashing against each other in the 1st match of the 3-match ODI series in Sri Lanka.

However, both teams suffered huge blows before the start of the series as Sri Lanka’s star spinner and Wanindu Hasaranga and Afghanistan’s sensational leggie Rashid Khan missed the first ODI due to a minor injury. Rashid will be missing the 2nd ODI as well, on the other hand, it is unclear whether Hasaranga will play in the 2nd ODI or not.

Hasaranga was already injured during the IPL and didn’t even have a full training session in Colombo. While Rashid is suffering from a lower-back injury which will reportedly keep him away from the action unless he gets fully recovered as the major tournaments will also be happening later this year. 

Brilliant performance by Rashid Khan in IPL 2023

Rashid performed brilliantly in the tournament by taking 27 wickets in just 17 matches at an economy rate of 8.24. On the other hand, Hasaranga took only 9 wickets in 8 matches he played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Although his season wasn't outstanding, an injury must have hurt Sri Lanka going into the World Cup Qualifiers. 

But Sri Lanka will be hopeful that the champion bowler returns in the second ODI despite the fact that the severity of his injury and the length of his recuperation period is unknown. Meanwhile, the Dasun Shanaka-led team will exert all of their effort to win this series in order to boost their morale before the ODI World Cup qualifier event that will start on June 18 in Zimbabwe.