Sri Lanka and Afghanistan face off in an all-firepower World Cup clash

Given the two-sided World Cup upsets Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have delivered that would increase the winner's semi-final aspirations in a potential now-or-never confrontation on Monday at Pune's MCA International Stadium. A resurgent Sri Lanka will be full of confidence after defeating the Netherlands and England in their last two matches. Their World Cup campaign began with a hat-trick of defeats, but they have made significant progress since then.

They are up against a powerful team of Afghanistan, a side that has proven it is no longer a pushover by defeating two powerhouses in the present campaign, England and Pakistan. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team has fought above their weight and will like their chances against Sri Lanka, who have suffered another injury blow with the withdrawal of Lahiru Kumara due to a thigh ailment. And pacer Dushmantha Chameera would be taking his place in the squad instead.