Afghanistan’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2024 (2nd ODI)
Sri Lanka asserted their dominance over Afghanistan, sealing the series with an emphatic 155-run win in the second encounter. With an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series, Sri Lanka’s performance showcased their prowess in all facets of the game, particularly their bowling prowess that rattled the Afghan batting lineup.
The match took an unexpected turn as Afghanistan’s second-wicket pair appeared to be steering the innings steadily. However, Wanindu Hasaranga’s magical spell shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor, triggering a scarcely-believable collapse for the visitors. Afghanistan lost an astonishing 9 wickets for just 25 runs in slightly over seven overs, highlighting the impact of Sri Lanka’s bowling onslaught.
For Sri Lanka, it was a combined effort from their bowling unit that paved the way for victory. Despite a solid start from the Afghan batters, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka, regrouped brilliantly to dismantle the opposition. Their disciplined bowling restricted Afghanistan to a paltry 153 all out, ensuring a comfortable win for the hosts.
The victory not only underscores Sri Lanka’s dominance in the series but also highlights Afghanistan’s struggles, particularly their batting collapses in both the Test and limited-overs fixtures. Despite promising starts from Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan’s middle order failed to capitalize, crumbling under pressure against Sri Lanka’s relentless bowling attack.
Chief Scores:-
Sri Lanka – 308 for 6 in 50 overs (Charith Asalanka 97*, Kusal Mendis 61, Sadeera Samawickrama 52, Azmatullah Omarzai 3 for 56, Noor Ahmad 1 for 54, Fazalhaq Farooqi 1 for 55)
Afghanistan – 153 for 10 in 33.5 overs (Rahmat Shah 63, Ibrahim Zadran 54, Hashmatullah Shahidi 9, Wanindu Hasaranga 4 for 27, Asitha Fernando 2 for 23, Dilshan Madushanka 2 for 28)
