Afghanistan lead the series against Sri Lanka

Afghanistan registered a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the series on Friday at Hambanthota. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bowl first.

After losing the toss, Sri Lanka got off to a sheaky start and lost opening batsman Dimuth Karunarathne when the score was 6 runs. Dimuth was dismissed for four runs in his return to ODI cricket. 30 runs later, Kusal Mendis got out for 11 runs. After that, Angelo Mathews and Pathum Nissanka made 23 runs for the third wicket until Mathews was dismissed for 12 runs. 23 runs later, opening batsman Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for 38 runs. After the dismissal of Nissanka Dhananjaya, de Silva joined Charith Asalanka and made 99 runs for the 5th wicket. Dhananjaya de Silva scored 51 runs. Skipper Dasun Shanaka was dismissed for 17 runs for the 6th wicket. Debutant Dushan Hemantha scored 22 runs, and both Asalanka and Dushan added 48 runs for the 7th wicket. After that, Sri Lanka lost their last three wickets within 5 runs. Charith Asalanka was the star with the bat and scored 91 runs. Eventually, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 268 runs in their 50 overs. For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmad claimed two wickets each.

In reply, Afghanistan’s openers made 25 runs until Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for 14 runs. After that, Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran made a 146-run partnership for the second wicket and set the platform for the chase. Ibrahim Zadran scored 98 runs. After that, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi joined Rahmat Shah and added 40 runs for the third wicket. Rahmat Shah scored 55 runs and Hashmatullah Shahidi 38. Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed with an unbeaten 27 runs. Afghanistan chased down the target successfully and scored 269 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 46.5 overs. For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha took two wickets.