Asalanka’s brilliance help Sri Lanka take unassailable 2-0 lead

Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2024

In the second One-Day International on Sunday, Sri Lanka achieved a resounding 155-run victory over Afghanistan, solidifying their unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series worked off at Pallekele international cricket stadium, Kandy.

Despite being set a target of 309 to level the series, Afghanistan faltered and was bowled out for 153 in just 34 overs, with leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga shining with four wickets.

At one stage, Afghanistan seemed well-positioned at 128 for one in their pursuit of the target, thanks to Rahmat Shah’s 54 and Ibrahim Zadran’s 63.

However, once these two batsmen were perished, the rest of the Afghan batters offered little resistance.

The partnership between Rahmat and Ibrahim had added 97 runs for the second wicket, but Asitha Fernando, playing his first ODI in 15 months, got the breakthrough by dismissing Ibrahim caught behind.

Hasaranga then made his magic work as he took two wickets in one over, trapping Rahmat leg-before-wicket and bowling captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.

The seamers also contributed, with impressive Dilshan Madushanka taking two wickets in an over and Fernando ending with two wickets as well.

Sri Lanka’s dominance was evident as Afghanistan collapsed, losing eight wickets for just 10 runs, all under the lights.

Earlier electing to bat first, Sri Lanka had a poor start, losing the openers early on.
However following the early set back, Captain Kusal Mendis (61) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (52) contributed with half-centuries, but both fell to poor strokes.

Following wickets at regular intervals put Sri Lanka on the back foot however vice captain Charith Asalanka along with Janith Liyanage (50) revived Sri Lanka’s innings with a 111 runs partnership for the fifth wicket.

Asalanka also batted until the death overs which in the process he also engaged in a 50 run partnership for the sixth with his school buddy Wanindu Hasaranga (14).

Asalanka’s impressive performance in the last 10 overs saw him score 62 runs in just 35 balls, finishing with a score of unbeaten 97 off 74 balls to make sure Sri Lanka reach a decent total of 308-6 in their alotted 50 overs.

Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler, taking three wickets.

The two sides will next meet in the third and final ODI on Wednesday at the same venue.

Sri Lanka had previously won the sole Test of the tour by 10 wickets. Following the ODI series, the two sides will travel to Dambulla for three T20 matches.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 309/6 in 50 overs (Charith Asalanka 97*, Kusal Mendis 61, Sadeera Samarawickrama 52; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-56) beat Afghanistan 153 in 33.5 overs (Rahmat Shah 63, Ibrahim Zadran 54; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-27) by 155 runs.