In the first match of the three-match ODI series between
Afghanistan and
Sri Lanka in Hambantota on Friday (June 2),
Afghanistan emerged victorious, defeating the hosts by 6 runs.
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to field on an overcast morning with a lively pitch.
Fazalhaq Farooqi made an immediate impact by dismissing the comeback man
Dimuth Karunaratne in the 3rd over. He also took the wicket of
Kusal Mendis for 11, while
Pathum Nissanka scored 38 but struggled to find fluency. Senior batter
Angelo Mathews fell early, and
Mujeeb Ur Rahman further dented Sri Lanka’s batting by getting Nissanka out in the 20th over.
With Sri Lanka reeling at 84 for 4,
Charith Asalanka and
Dhananjaya de Silva formed a crucial partnership of 99 runs for the 5th wicket. Dhananjaya dominated the partnership with a quick 51 off 59 balls but was dismissed in the 38th over, missing a straight delivery from
Mohammad Nabi. After Dhananjaya’s dismissal, Sri Lanka failed to establish any significant partnerships. Captain
Dasun Shanaka fell for 17, getting out to his Gujarat Titans teammate
Noor Ahmad. However, Asalanka carried on and made 91 before getting run-out in the final over, missing a well-deserved century.
Despite
Lahiru Kumara getting the early wicket of
Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the 6th over, opener
Ibrahim Zadran formed a strong second-wicket partnership of 146 runs with
Rahmat Shah. This partnership put Afghanistan in a position of strength within the first 30 overs. Zadran was dismissed for 98 in the 30th over, but Rahmat continued to guide the team towards victory. However, he fell for 55, becoming
Matheesha Pathirana’s first victim on his ODI debut. Pathirana, who had impressed for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023, had a forgettable ODI debut, conceding 66 runs in 8.5 overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted: Afghanistan have absolutely dominated Sri Lanka. ?
The visitors chased down 269 in only 46.5 overs & with 6 wickets in hand. ????
Ibrahim Zadran – 98 (98).
@ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/oeH3rsSlbC — Saif Ahmed ?? (@saifahmed75)
June 2, 2023
What an incredible knock from Ibrahim Zadran! This young talent is shining bright and proving to be a rising star for Afghanistan cricket. ?? Keep an eye on him, folks!
#AfghanistanCricket #IbrahimZadran #FutureStar"
@IZadran18 pic.twitter.com/ytQ7AhwOIP — Pablo ?? (@MiniEscobarr)
June 2, 2023
What a run by Afghanistan.They beat Sri Lanka in the first ODI match by 6 wickets and taken 1-0 lead in this series.
Ibrahim Zadran the Hero for Afghanistan in this run chase. What a performance by Afghanistan!
pic.twitter.com/IJCsg3F42U — CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
June 2, 2023
What a remarkable run-chase by Afghanistan.
Chasing 269 runs, Ibrahim Zadran 98(98) & Rahmat Shah 55(80) helped Afghanistan to beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the first ODI.
pic.twitter.com/DXsNVLn0PY — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
June 2, 2023
Ibrahim zadran next big thing in Afghanistan?? cricket
#SLvAFG2023 98 runs from98 balls
@IZadran18?
@rashidkhan_19 ?
pic.twitter.com/LgbxH6JMP3 — ??HIKMAT KHAN ?? (@HikmatK81939960)
June 2, 2023
Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran
#cricket #SLvAFG #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/1iO2NPwLIp — CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
June 2, 2023
Miss his hundred by just 2 runs.. honestly Deserved a century ? here
but its okay.. played with exceptional strike rate ??? VERY LONG CAREER AHEAD ?????
Well played ibrahim zadran ???
https://t.co/iGT8Xe7618 pic.twitter.com/Asrgrp6cZ1 — Umair (@umairrr_20)
June 2, 2023
Well Played Ibrahim Zadran??
#SLVSAFG pic.twitter.com/hqBPBaqu4u — शुभेंदु पांडेय (@shubhendupk)
June 2, 2023
What a knock by Ibrahim Zadran – 98 (98) against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. A fantastic effort by 21 year old Zadran
pic.twitter.com/xdWlOPAsIZ — Ashvini 420 (@420Ashvini)
June 2, 2023
Feeling sad for Ibrahim Zadran, he smashed 98 off 98 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes, he prevoiusly scored couple of Hundred against Sri lanka in 2022, he scored this in chasing 269 runs.
Well played.
#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/gCobNd9Lvf — Resanth. (@CricResanth)
June 2, 2023
A superb innings by Ibrahim Zadran!
@IZadran18 #SLvAFG2023 Photo Cr:
@ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/bkwhXza474 — Zabihullah Saleem (@zabisaleem438)
June 2, 2023
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