Ibrahim Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Gulbadin Naib starred as Afghanistan shocked Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI of the 3-match series to go 1-0 up in the series. Crucial 10 points for Afghanistan as they solidified their 7th position in the ICC ODI Super League with 110 points while Sri Lanka are reeling at the 10th position with just 62 points.
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| Image Credits: Sportstar - The Hindu |
Toss Update: Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first.
Having opted to bat first, Afghanistan scored 294 on the board losing 8 wickets in 50 overs. Opener Ibrahim Zadran scored his second century in ODIs - 106 runs off 102 balls - while the other opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (53 off 55) and no.3 batter Rahman Shah (52 off 64) both scored half-centuries each. Najibullah Zadran (42 off 25) who walked in at no. 4 in the 42nd over played a brisk knock which helped them get closer to the 300-run mark!
Wanindu Hasaranga (2-42 from his 10 overs) was once again the pick of Sri Lankan bowlers while Kasun Rajitha (1-56) bowled superbly at the death for the home team! For instance, Rajitha conceded just 3 runs which include a wide in the 48th over!
Sri Lanka, chasing 295 runs to win, managed to score 234 losing 10 wickets in 38 overs. Except for Pathum Nissanka, none of the top-order really stood up to the task for the home team in this tall run-chase. Once Nissanka departed, Wanindu Hasaranga played his strokes scoring a 46-ball 66 including 10 fours and 2 sixes to get them past the 200-run mark. However, just these two batting efforts were not enough for the home team to win this 1st ODI!
Like the batting unit, Afghanistan's bowling unit also clicked in this match. New ball bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed 4 wickets for 49 runs from his 9 overs and was the pick of the Visiting bowling side. Though Gulbadin Naib struggled with the bat for the most part of his innings, he proved his bowling credentials with 3-34 from his 8 overs.
Match result: Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka by a margin of 60 runs.
Ibrahim Zadran has been adjudged as the Player of the Match for his crucial contribution of 106 runs off 120 deliveries with 11 fours. Afghanistan are currently leading the 3-match series by 1-0 with the second ODI of the series on Sunday (Nov 27) at the same venue in Pallekele.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan: 294-8 in 50 overs (Ibrahim Zadran - 106, Wanindu Hasaranga - 2-42) defeated Sri Lanka: 234-10 in 38 overs (Pathum Nissanka - 85, Fazalhaq Farooqi - 4-49) by a margin of 60 runs
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