KANDY: Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka convincingly by 60 runs to clinch a win at the first one day international match which ended at the Pallekele International cricket stadium in Kandy short while ago.
Afghanistan batting first scored a hefty 294 runs in 50 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. Young Ibrahim Zadran led the charge against the Sri Lankan bowlers and hit a scintillating century to score 106 off 120 balls. Gurbaz and Shah also contributed with half centuries. Hasaranga picked up 2 wickets for 42 runs and maybe the only bowler who made an impact. Najibullah Zadran hit a quick fire 42 runs off 25 balls to help Afghanistan go past 290.
Chasing the score Sri Lankan batting struggled through the innings with 5 wickets down by the 25th over. Sri Lanka’s hope Pathum Nissanka batted brilliantly to at least take Sri Lanka to a respectable score but he had no proper support. Hasaranga hit a cameo to help build a partnership with Nissanka. Afghanistan bowlers Farooqui and Nain were on fire and together picked up the first 5 SL wickets by the 24th over. Farooqui went on to pick up Nissanka’s prize wicket at 85 runs as his second wicket. Gulbadin Naib picked up 3 wickets for 34 runs.
By end of 36 overs, Sri Lanka needed 70 runs in 14 overs with only 2 wickets in hand. Hasaranga was a lone warrior and scored 66 runs off 46 balls but soon ran out of partners. Sri Lanka was bundled up for 234 runs in the 38th over. Afghanistan secured a convincing win by 60 runs. The player of the match was I Zadran for his brilliant century.
The second ODI is scheduled on Sunday, 27th November at the same venue. (RZ) Image credit ESPN cric info
