SL vs AFG: Sri Lanka Dominate The Terms Against Afghanistan With Pathum Nissanka & Avishka Fernando’s Blistering Knocks

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah held the innings of Afghanistan after an early wicket

Electing to bat, Afghanistan made a quick start, striking four boundaries in the opening over. After Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s early attack, Ibrahim Zadran took control of the destruction, going after Pramod Madushan and smashing three more in the fourth over, by the end of which the visitors had already put on 36 runs.

Nevertheless, an attempt to quickly get a single backfired, as Ibrahim was caught short of his crease by Avishka Fernando’s excellent effort from cover point. Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah went on the attack during the powerplay, and they made a 57-run partnership for the second wicket before the latter was dismissed by Akila Dananjaya, four runs shy of his fifty.

Soon after, Hashmatullah Shahidi was out, and Rahmat had to steady the innings once again-this time with the assistance of a 58-run partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai.

The lower order of Afghanistan shattered against Sri Lanka’s quicks

With careful play in the middle overs, the pair reached their respective half-centuries and laid the groundwork for a late attack. The lower order, though, was unable to sufficiently pick up the pace. Shahidi and Ikram Alikhil shared a helpful 57 runs for the fifth wicket, but the other players failed while going for massive hits and lost their wickets.

During this time, Madushan, Asitha, and Dananjaya were very noticeable. The two fast bowlers shared the final five wickets between them to end the Afghan innings at 266 runs. Madushan was the best bowler, as he took three wickets while Asitha, Dananjaya, and Wellalage chipped in with two wickets each.

Nissanka and Fernando set the stage for Sri Lanka with their partnership

Nissanka was happy to be an assistant as Avishka Fernando, with a fierce 66-ball 91, broke the back of the chase. After giving away his usual early opportunity, an inside edge on 10 that Ikram Alikhil could not hold onto and which ultimately resulted in a finger injury that prevented him from playing at all, Avishka punished the Afghans with an innings that featured 10 fours and five sixes.

With four of the five sixes coming up short of a length, Afghanistan did themselves no favors as Avishka pulled them up over the leg side with contempt. He missed a fourth ODI century due to a mistimed drive for extra cover, but by then Sri Lanka had amassed 173 runs, their second opening stand of the series of 150 or more.

Sri Lanka clean sweeped Afghanistan

But once Avishka was dismissed, Nissanka increased his scoring rate, and Kusal Mendis joined in on the fun, so the attack just became worse. Despite just needing 55 deliveries to reach their 78-run partnership, both of them fell quickly after failing to sustain the chase to the end.

With 88 balls remaining, Sri Lanka triumphed due to the effortless 14 runs scored by Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama. The first T20I will be played on February 17.

Also Read: SL vs AFG: Sri Lanka Aim For Clean Sweep Against The Mighty Afghanistan In The 3rd ODI Match