Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, November 30th, Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium:
Afghanistan dominated the first One Day International against Sri Lanka and attained a 1 – 0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Here is a detailed report of the match’s proceedings:
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka ODI – Toss:
Afghanistan had won the toss and decided to put runs on the board by batting first.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka ODI – Afghanistan’s Innings:
The Afghan openers impressed everyone right from the word go. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran opened the innings for Afghanistan and provided a solid base with an 84-run opening stand. The mystery spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was brought on to break the opening stand, and he soon provided Sri Lanka with the breakthrough. Rahman Ullah Gurbaz tried to sweep Hasaranga but missed the ball completely and was stuck in front of the stumps. The umpire judged him out as his impressive knock of 55 runs came to an end in a disappointing fashion. Rahmat Shah joined Zadran in the middle, and the two batsmen kept scoring without any scare or difficulty. Afghanistan’s hundred was brought up in 19 overs, while Ibrahim Zadran got to his 50 in 62 balls. The partnership flourished as the two top-order players added 118 runs for the second wicket.
Rehmat Shah was dismissed for 52 off 64 balls, but the team looked well set to launch for the final flourish. Ibrahim Zadran slowly got to his hundred in 116 balls before being dismissed for 106. Najibullah Zadran provided the much-needed final finish in the last 10 overs with a 25-ball 42. The wickets kept on tumbling at the other end, but Afghanistan finished with a formidable total of 294/8 in their 50 overs.
Hasaranga was the best bowler for Sri Lanka as he picked up 2 wickets for 42 runs in his 10 overs. Theekshana, Lakshan, Rajitha, and Kumara picked up one wicket each.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka ODI – Sri Lanka’s Innings:
Sri Lanka came out to chase the total with a fair bit of confidence as they had the home advantage and had managed to contain Afghanistan in the last 10 overs by picking up 8 wickets in the final 10.
However, Sri Lanka’s chase never really got going. They lost their first wicket at the score of 16 when Kusal Mendis got out after scoring only 1 run. He was caught plumb in front of the stumps as he missed an inswinging ball from Yamin Ahmedzai. The other opener Pathum Nissanka remained firm on one end but did not receive any real support from the next batsmen.
The wickets kept on falling at regular intervals as Nissanka continued fighting alone. Sri Lanka were reduced to 90 / 4 in 15 overs and 138 / 5 in 24 overs. By now, the game looked long gone as Sri Lanka failed to gain any momentum. Nissanka was dismissed for a score of 85 as Sri Lanka lost their 6th wicket for 168.
Wanindu Hasaranga hit some lusty blows to score 66 runs off 46 balls. But it was all too late by now. Sri Lanka got all out for 234 in 38 overs. Fazalhaq Farroqui picked up 4 wickets for Afghanistan, while Gulbadin Naib had 3 scalps. Yamin Ahmadzai also got 2 wickets.
It was a complete performance by Afghanistan to go 1-nil up in the series. Ibrahim Zadran was the player of the match for his impressive century. The next match of the series will take place on Sunday.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – ODI Squad:
Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zafran, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia-ur-Rehman.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Ashen Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Pramod Madushan, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
