Sri Lanka might have won three of their last five ODIs against Afghanistan, and even hold an overall win-loss record of 7-4, but the two teams head into this three-match series on completely different trajectories.

Afghanistan are building. Their next major ODI tournament is right around the corner - the 2025 Champions Trophy. They have a side brimming with potential and energy, just screaming to be harnessed and let loose. They left last year's ODI World Cup with wins over three former champions in their bag. This is not a side to be trifled with.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are rebuilding (yet again). Having failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy, their next major ODI tournament is still three years away - the 2027 World Cup. Theirs is a side with a settled core, but one that needs to contend with a new selection committee looking to stamp its authority. And the less said about Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign the better.

But despite all that, this should be as keenly contested a series as ever. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for when these sides square off.

With a T20 World Cup just four months away, it's unlikely we'll see much experimentation in that format, which leaves ODIs - with nothing to build towards in the short term - as a straightforward option for new faces to dip their toes in international cricket and fringe players to stay sharp.

With the likes of Sahan Arachchige, Shevon Daniel, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dananjaya in the squad, not finding room for a couple if not all of them in the starting XI might seem like a wasted opportunity.