Sri Lanka 160 (Hasaranga 67, Farooqi 3-25) beat Afghanistan 156 for 9 (Zadran 67*, Pathirana 4-24) by four runs
This summary suggests a closely contested One Day International (ODI) or Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka scored 160 runs, with Wanindu Hasaranga contributing a significant 67 runs. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs. In response, Afghanistan managed to score 156 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, with Najibullah Zadran remaining not out on 67 runs. Dunith Wellalage was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka, capturing 4 wickets for 24 runs. The match concluded with Sri Lanka winning by a narrow margin of four runs. This summary provides the scores, key performances, and the outcome of the match, highlighting the competitive nature of the game.
In a thrilling encounter at Dambulla, Sri Lanka narrowly secured a victory against Afghanistan in the first T20I of their three-match series, winning by a mere four runs before a packed audience, taking an early lead in the series.
The climax of the match saw Binura Fernando, despite having conceded 38 runs in his first three overs, successfully defend 11 runs in the final over against a resilient Ibrahim Zadran, who remained unbeaten with a 67 off 55 balls, narrowly missing out on a win for Afghanistan.
The turning point of the match, however, was delivered by Matheesha Pathirana in the penultimate over. His exceptional bowling, claiming two wickets for just three runs, significantly tilted the game in Sri Lanka’s favor, ending with impressive figures of 4 for 24.
Sri Lanka’s innings earlier in the game saw them being bowled out for 160, a total significantly bolstered by Wanindu Hasaranga’s explosive 67 off 32 balls. Afghanistan’s bowlers, however, managed to pick up key wickets at crucial moments, keeping the hosts’ total within reach.
Throughout the chase, Afghanistan appeared to be in a comfortable position, especially with Ibrahim’s steady presence at the crease. Yet, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, spearheaded by Pathirana, effectively clinched wickets at pivotal points, ensuring a gripping finish to the match.
The game also highlighted the conditions at Dambulla, hosting its first men’s international in five years. Questions about the pitch’s nature, following batting-friendly tracks in Pallekele, were quickly answered. Sri Lanka, batting first upon Afghanistan’s decision to bowl, rocketed to 51 runs in the powerplay, albeit at the cost of losing three wickets to Afghanistan’s strategic bowling.
The loss of early wickets didn’t deter Sri Lanka, with captain Hasaranga stepping up and promoting himself in the batting order. Hasaranga’s dynamic batting, previously showcased in the Lanka Premier League, was on full display as he hammered 67 runs, reviving Sri Lanka’s innings alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama. Their partnership propelled Sri Lanka to a competitive total, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish to an action-packed match.
