Opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran on Friday scored a fine 106 as Afghanistan defeated hosts Sri Lanka by 60 runs in their opening one-day international at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Zadran propelled Afghanistan to 294-8 and Sri Lanka was all out for 234 with 12 overs to spare.
“It was a very good wicket to bat on,” Zadran said. “When I was dismissed, I told my teammates that we should try and get something like 320. Even when Sri Lanka batted, the wicket was really good. The wicket didn’t change much, but our bowlers were too good.”
Photo: AFP
Sri Lanka had hopes during the run chase while Pathum Nissanka was in. The opening batsman scored an 83-ball 85 with 10 boundaries.
However, Nissanka did not have much support from the rest of the top order.
Wanindu Hasaranga threatened to take the game with a late flourish. He smashed 22 runs off a Mohammad Nabi over that included a six and four boundaries and reached his fourth half-century in 31 deliveries.
The required rate was very much under Sri Lanka’s control, but Hasaranga, the last established batsman, was running out of partners. He was the last man out.
“It is very disappointing,” Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said. “I don’t think we executed our plans with the ball. It’s a good wicket but we shouldn’t have given away 294. We bounced back well, but it was too late. Afghanistan built partnerships, but we failed to do that. We didn’t convert good starts.”
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