2 STRAGGLERS: UNLIKELY TO GO FAR 

Strengths

They do have good batsmen, but their top two scorers in the last two years (N Dickwella, 1191 runs, and Upal Tharanga, 1057 runs) are not in the team. They have good bowlers too, but it seems that the younger lot have been unable to fill the boots of the likes of Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara

Weaknesses

They’re struggling to find good replacements for the retired greats. There has been some infighting in the team, and they have not won a bilateral ODI series since June 2016. They lack confidence and it does not bode well for their prospects 

Outlook

Difficult to see them getting into the semis

Gamechanger

Lasith Malinga still has the ability to bowl well at the death

Afghanistan: Need game time

Strengths

Afghanistan play fearless cricket, as they showed when they upset Pakistan in a practice match. They have the No. 1 allrounder in ODIs in Rashid Khan.  Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi are the other two key spinners. Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai can fire with the bat

Weaknesses

They have the passion, but they need to play much more than they do to challenge big teams on a consistent basis. Can they put up scores over 300 consistently, or defend them? Seems difficult

Outlook

Maybe an upset or two, but that should be it

Gamechanger

Rashid Khan is their superstar, and he does have the ability to turn a match with ball or bat

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