- Afghanistan’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2024 (2nd T20)
In yet another thrilling clash between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, Angelo Mathews emerged as the star performer, guiding Sri Lanka to a commanding 72 run victory to secure a series win. The second T20 encounter witnessed a proud island nation put up a promising total and defend it brilliantly, extending their winning streak.
Sri Lanka faced early challenges after being asked to bat first, but pulled through thanks to Samarawickrama and Angelo Mathews. Despite a solid start from openers Kusal Mendis and Nissanka, Sri Lanka found themselves struggling at 122 for 5 after 15 overs. However, a remarkable late surge led by Mathews and Sadeera Samarawickrama propelled Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 187. Samarawickrama’s stellar knock of 51 played a crucial role in bolstering the team’s score, while Mathews thumped a quick unbeaten 42 off just 22 rocks.
In response, Afghanistan’s chase faltered early on, with the team losing five wickets for just 31 runs within the first five overs. Despite efforts from Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat to stabilize the innings with a partnership of 39 runs, Afghanistan failed to cope with the daunting target set by Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Mathews and supported by Binura Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Matheesha Pathirana, showcased exceptional discipline and skill, dismantling Afghanistan’s batting lineup and restricting them to a below-par total.
Angelo Mathews proved to be the hero of the match, delivering a stellar all-round performance with both bat and ball. His early breakthroughs with the ball set the tone for Sri Lanka’s dominance, while his crucial contributions with the bat earlier in the innings cannot be understated.
Sri Lanka’s comprehensive victory in the series reflects their superior execution and teamwork, leaving Afghanistan facing an uphill battle to salvage the final match. With Mathews leading from the front and the entire team firing on all cylinders, Sri Lanka looks poised to continue their winning momentum and consolidate their position on the international stage.
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Chief Scores:
Sri Lanka – 187 for 6 in 20 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 51, Angelo Mathews 42*, Pathum Nissanka 25, Mohammad Nabi 2 for 25, Azmatullah Omarzai 2 for 40, Fazalhaq Farooqi 1 for 31)
Afghanistan – 115 for 10 in 17 overs (Karim Janat 28, Mohammad Nabi 27, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 13, Angelo Mathews 2 for 9, Binura Fernando 2 for 18, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 19)
