Sri Lanka registered an emphatic victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI of the three-match series, thanks to stellar performances from Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dhananjaya de Silva. The Sri Lankan team showcased their dominance, winning the match by a commanding 132 runs. With this win, the series is now level at 1-1, setting the stage for an exciting final match on Wednesday.
Batting first, Sri Lanka got off to a solid start, courtesy of their captain, Dimuth Karunaratne. Karunaratne played a brilliant knock, providing a strong foundation for the team. His composed innings included some exquisite strokes, allowing Sri Lanka to establish a solid platform. He received excellent support from his partner, Kusal Mendis, who also displayed his batting prowess with an impressive innings. The duo’s partnership laid the groundwork for a formidable total.
Sri Lanka continued to build on the momentum gained from the opening stand. Their middle-order batsmen contributed valuable runs, pushing the team towards a formidable total. The Afghan bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen, who were in sublime form. The Sri Lankan innings was bolstered by contributions from several players, with notable performances from Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. Their aggressive strokeplay and smart shot selection ensured Sri Lanka reached a daunting total of 324 runs.
In response to the challenging target, Afghanistan faced early setbacks as the Sri Lankan bowlers came out with determination and precision. Sri Lanka’s spin duo, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva, wreaked havoc on the Afghan batting lineup. They displayed their skills and versatility, bamboozling the Afghan batsmen with their spin variations. Both Hasaranga and de Silva claimed three-wicket hauls, derailing Afghanistan’s chase and creating pressure on their batsmen.
Despite the loss of early wickets, Afghanistan found some hope through Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi. Both batsmen showed resilience and determination, notching up half-centuries to keep Afghanistan’s hopes alive. Their partnership injected a brief sense of optimism into the Afghan camp, raising expectations of a comeback.
However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers tightened their grip on the game, refusing to allow Afghanistan to settle into a rhythm. They bowled with discipline, exploiting the conditions and the pressure built by the scoreboard. The Sri Lankan pacers and spinners complemented each other well, consistently picking up wickets and preventing Afghanistan from building substantial partnerships.
As the required run rate escalated, Afghanistan’s batsmen grew increasingly desperate, resulting in the loss of crucial wickets. Sri Lanka’s fielding was sharp and precise, capitalizing on every opportunity that came their way. The Sri Lankan bowlers comfortably bundled out Afghanistan for a total of 191 runs, securing a convincing victory.
With this win, Sri Lanka leveled the series at 1-1, setting the stage for an enthralling final match on Wednesday. The momentum gained from their comprehensive victory will undoubtedly boost the Sri Lankan team’s confidence as they aim to clinch the series. Meanwhile, Afghanistan will be eager to bounce back and regain their winning form in the crucial decider.
The final match promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams vying for supremacy. Sri Lanka will look to carry forward their winning momentum, while Afghanistan will be determined to make a strong comeback. Cricket enthusiasts and fans of both nations eagerly await the final match, hoping for a fitting conclusion to what has been an exciting series so far.