Tag: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka

HAMBANTOTA: Dushmantha Chameera-led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack decimated Afghanistan’s batting lineup before openers powered them to blow away Afghanistan in the third ODI and seal the series 2-1.

In the decisive final ODI of the three-match series, Afghanistan batters struggled against a ruthless bowling attack by Sri Lanka after their skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to bat as the coin flipped in his favour.

The visitors had a dismal start to their innings as they lost their first wicket in the second over with Rahmanullah Gurbaz being the first to walk after, scoring a mere eight.

Afghanistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as their batters appeared hapless against Sri Lankan bowlers and soon bundled out for a meagre 116 in the 23rd over.

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi remained the top-scorer for Afghanistan in their dismal show with the bat, scoring a run-a-ball 23 while opener Ibrahim Zadran (22) and Gulbadin Naib (20) were the other notable run-getters.

Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka for his sensational figures of 4/63, followed by Wanindu Hasaranga’s 3/7.

Lahiru Kumara bagged two wickets for Sri Lanka while Maheesh Theekshana made one scalp.

Set to chase a mere 117, Sri Lankan openers made it an easy affair, courtesy of their brilliant 84-run partnership.

Pathum Nissanka was the core aggressor of the match-defining stand as he struck 51 off just 34 deliveries, laced up with eight boundaries and two sixes before Gulbadin Naib trapped him plumb in the 11th over.

Meanwhile, Dimuth Karunaratne then put on an unbeaten partnership with Kusal Mendis and completed a thumping victory for their side with 204 balls to spare.

Karunaratne top-scored for Sri Lanka with a 45-ball 56 which featured seven boundaries.

Whereas, Mendis batted sensibly for his 17-ball 11 and hit a boundary.

Naib remained the only bowler to pick up a wicket for Afghanistan while the rest went wicketless.

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KABUL: Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday, unveiled a spin-packed 15-member squad for the three-match away ODI series against Sri Lanka, scheduled from June 2 to 7.

According to the details, the Afghanistan side, under the leadership of Hashmatullah Shahidi, will have the services of their star spin trio – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

The trio will be further assisted by fast-rising spinner Noor Ahmad in the upcoming ODI series which is stated to play a crucial role in the team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.

“We have selected a strong squad and it’s good to have a couple of young faces for the series with an aim to build up for the ICC Cricket World Cup,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Mirwais Ashraf said.

“We are looking for every possible opportunity to build a good combination of the team,” he added in a statement.

The squad also features 21-year-old uncapped pacer Abdul Rahman, who had a promising domestic season recently.

Furthermore, former skipper Gulbadin Naib, who led the side in the previous Men’s ODI World Cup 2019 in England, is among the four reserves for the away series.

Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik

Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar

Series Itinerary:

2nd June – First ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium
4th June – Second ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium
7th June – Third ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium

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SHARJAH: Batters played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s magnificent chase of a 176-run target to avenge their defeat in the group stage of the Asia Cup as they secured a thrilling four-wicket win over Afghanistan in the opening match of the Super 4 stage.

After a solid start by the openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka played a superb knock of 33 off 20 in the middle, before Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga pounded Afghanistan bowlers in the death overs to help Sri Lanka chase down the target with five balls to spare.

Mendis top-scored for his side with 36 off 19, while Nissanka also scored 36 off 28 to give the hosts a flourishing start to their chase. Meanwhile, Rajapaksa hit a powerful 31 off 14, laced with four boundaries and a six to release the pressure in the crucial stage of the game.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb ur Rehman and Naveen-ul-Haq claimed two wickets each with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi making a scalp apiece.

Earlier, Rehmanullah Gurbaz blasted a phenomenal 84 off 45, smashing six gigantic sixes and four boundaries as Aghanistan raised 175/6 after they were put to bat.

Ibrahim Zadran failed to capitalize on his stay on the crease as he was sent back to the pavilion by Dilshan Madushanka after a steady knock of 40 off 38.

For Sri Lanka, Madhushanka picked two wickets while Maheesh Theekshana and Asitha Fernando took a scalp each.

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DUBAI: Afghan bowlers wreaked havoc on the Sri Lankan batting line before openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz charged the bowlers to outclass Islanders by eight wickets with 59 balls to spare in the opening match of Asia Cup 2022.

Sri Lanka underwent a complete batting collapse as eight of their batters failed to enter the double figures and the team was bowled on 105 after they were put to bat.

Medium pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi remained inspirational with the ball as he grabbed two early wickets, dismissing Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka in the very first over of the game, with Naveen-ul-Haq getting rid of Pathum Nissanka in the next to reduce Sri Lanka on 5-3.

Despite a brief resistance in the middle powered by Danushka Gunathilaka (17) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (38) with a 44-run partnership, Afghanistan attacked with even greater force, storming through the lower order.

Chamika Karunaratne, on the other hand, played a valiant knock of 31 off 38 late in the order to help the side get past the 100-run mark.

For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq produced the sensational bowling figures of 3/11, while Mujeeb ur Rehman and Mohammad Nabi bagged two wickets each.

Set to chase a paltry total, Afghan openers blasted a powerful 83-run opening partnership with Gurbaz taking a toll on Sri Lankan bowlers as he smashed 40 off 18, hitting three boundaries and four gigantic sixes before Hasaranga De Silva bowled him out.

Zazai, on the other hand, scored an unbeaten 37 off 28, laced with five fours and a six to take his team towards a comprehensive victory in the 11th over for the loss of just two wickets.

With the thumping win, Afghanistan raised its chances to qualify for the next round of the tournament as it will now face Bangladesh in the next encounter of Group B on Tuesday.

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COOLIDGE: Afghanistan secured a thrilling victory in the quarterfinal of the ICC Under-19 World Cup; defeating Sri Lanka by just four runs, here on Thursday.

Set to chase 135, the Sri Lankan batting line-up failed to chase a paltry total; falling four runs short. Captain Dimuth Wellalage fought hard with his 34, while the rest of the batters failed to make a significant contribution.

Afghanistan’s bowlers, on the other hand, held their nerves calm to defend a low total. Bilal Sami claimed two wickets, while Naveed Zadran, Noor Ahmad, Izharulhaq Naveed, Nangeyalia Kharote struck out a batter each.

Batting first, Afghanistan’s batting line-up also failed to post a commendable total and could only manage to score 134 before getting bowled out.

Ahmad scored 30, while Abdul Hadi top-scored with his gritty 37; facing 97 deliveries and scoring three boundaries.

For Sri Lanka, Vinuja Ranpul starred; taking five wickets, while Welllalage picked three. Treveen Mathew and Yasiru Rodrigo, on the other hand, shared one wicket apiece.

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