Sri Lanka effortlessly chased down the goal of 120 runs, reaching the full with a staggering 34 overs to spare. The dominant efficiency was made attainable by an distinctive exhibiting from Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling unit, spearheaded by the deserving recipient of the man-of-the-match award, Dushmantha Chameera. Their relentless assault dismantled the Afghan prime order, leaving them hapless and unable to mount a big problem.
This resounding victory serves as a much-needed confidence enhance for Sri Lanka as they put together to take part in a qualifying match in Zimbabwe. The match holds nice significance because it gives two remaining berths for the upcoming World Cup.
Afghanistan are already by to the World Cup, to be held in India from October, however skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi was left to rue “a nasty day for our batters”.
“We misplaced too many wickets and it put us underneath stress,” he advised reporters.
“I nonetheless really feel it was a superb name to bat first however we misplaced too many wickets earlier on and that took the momentum away from us.”
Nissanka didn’t waste time when the chase started, racing to his seventh ODI half-century in 32 balls with eight fours and two sixes.
He departed on 51 after being trapped leg earlier than by Gulbadin Naib to finish an 84-run stand for the opening wicket.
Fellow opener Karunaratne, that includes in his first ODI collection in additional than two years, made 56 not out to make sure that Sri Lanka reached the goal with out one other wicket falling.
His 56 got here off 45 balls with seven boundaries, making his eighth half-century within the format.
Kusal Mendis was unbeaten on 11 as Sri Lanka reached the goal in simply 16 overs to finish the sport early.
Afghanistan received the toss and elected to bat, however fast-bowling spearhead Chameera established Sri Lanka’s dominance early with two fiery spells that left the vacationers unable to submit an honest partnership.
Chameera, taking part in his first collection after ankle surgical procedure sidelined him for seven months, earned man-of-the-match honours along with his 4-63.
“The wicket was sluggish immediately so we needed to type out our methods. There was good backup for me from remainder of the bowlers,” he stated.
“It is vital to maintain issues tight and while you try this, batsmen take dangers, and there are extra probabilities so that you can decide up wickets.”
Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga polished off the Afghan tail with 3-7 whereas fast Lahiru Kumara claimed two wickets, because the vacationers folded for 116 all out.
Afghanistan received the primary recreation comprehensively by six wickets, however Sri Lanka bounced again to take the second recreation by 132 runs.
(With AFP Inputs)
