Afghanistan’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2024 (One-Off Test)
Sri Lanka clinched an easy 10 wicket victory over Afghanistan at the SSC on Monday, marking a new era for the Lankan Lions since Dhananjaya de Silva stepped in as the island’s Test captain. Sri Lanka’s dominance was evident right from the beginning, asserting their authority, by opting to field and bowling out Afghanistan for a meager total to start off. Sri Lanka then proceeded to display their prowess as a Test cricketing nation, posting a mammoth total and showing the visitors that they meant business. The hosts went into the second phase of the game with an impressive lead of 241, courtesy of Mathews, Chandimal and Karunaratne, but it was Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, and Prabath Jayasuriya who combined forces with the ball to end Afghanistan, sharing 10 wickets between them.
Sri Lanka lightning quick pacemen Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando made the necessary breakthroughs in the first innings. The pair picked up 7 wickets collectively to down Afghanistan for 198 runs. Rahmat Shah had impressed the Lions in the early stages of the game with a stubborn 91 but the Fernandos fought back valiantly, bowling out their opposition shortly after the Tea break on Day 1.
The hosts then spent the rest of Day 1 and 2 at the crease, capitalizing on the platform set by their bowlers. A good start to the innings by Madushka and Karunaratne set the tone for Angelo Mathews to late come in and stun with 141 in 256 rocks, clobbering 14 boundaries and three sixes in his lengthy stint. Dinesh Chandimal too crafted an exceptional 104 at the opposite end, assisting Mathews to get Sri Lanka to a noteworthy 439 with a lead that stretched 241.
The game progressed to Day 3, and Afghanistan were clearly not going to back down. Ibrahim Zadran scored a splendid century to keep his side in the contest and Rahmat Shah contributed with yet another half century. However, a stealthy five-fer spin wizard Prabath Jayasuriya were the final nails in the coffin for the Afghans. Jayasuriya scalped Zadran on 114 and set the wheels in motion. The rest of the Afghans then followed suit, with Rajitha and Asitha Fernando doing well to assist Jayasuriya by mopping up the tail end. Sri Lanka’s fierceness with the ball led to Afghanistan ending the second innings with 296 runs but also with only a 56 run lead.
The opening pair of Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka happily played through their needed target before the end of Day 4, winning the match by 10 wickets in this rare one-off Test encounter. .
Chief Scores:-
Afghanistan – 198 for 10 (Rahmat Shah 91, Noor Ali 31, Vishwa Fernando 4 for 51, Asitha Fernando 3 for 24)
Sri Lanka – 439 for 10 (Angelo Mathews 141, Dinesh Chandimal 107, Naveed Zadran 4 for 38, Nijat Masood 2 for 76)
Afghanistan – 296 for 10 (Ibrahim Zadran 114, Rahmat Shah 54, Prabath Jayasuriya 5 for 107, Asitha Fernando 3 for 63)
Sri Lanka – 56 for 0 (Dimuth Karunaratne 32*, Nishan Madushka 22*, Nijat Masood 0 for 5, Qais Ahmad 0 for 8)
