Wanindu Hasaranga leads charge with the willow
Invited to bat first, Sri Lanka faced early setbacks with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis dismissals. Dhananjaya de Silva showcased a promising start but succumbed after a brief cameo of 24 runs off 17 balls, adding to the side’s predicament. Charith Asalanka‘s departure with just three runs further intensified the team’s struggle.
Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga elevated himself up the order in a pivotal move, unleashing a spectacular innings that saw him reaching a fifty in a mere 24 balls. Partnering with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who contributed 25 runs before falling victim to a run-out, Hasaranga provided a much-needed resurgence. However, Naveen-ul-Haq‘s dismissal of Hasaranga for 67 runs triggered a collapse, leading to Sri Lanka’s eventual downfall at 160 runs in 19 overs.
Bowlers shine for the Islanders
Chasing a target of 161 runs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran set a brisk pace for Afghanistan from the second over of the innings. Despite Gurbaz’s impressive cameo of 13 runs, he departed early, leaving the responsibility to the incoming batters. Gulbadin Naib, taking the crease at number three, could only muster 16 runs off 17 balls. Although Karim Janat contributed a quick 20 off 16 balls, the lack of significant partnerships hindered Afghanistan’s chase. Zadran, fighting bravely till the end, found little support from the rest of the lineup.
With Afghanistan needing 14 runs in the last two overs, Matheesha Pathirana‘s exceptional 19th over proved to be the turning point, costing just three runs and two crucial wickets, shifting the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favour. Conversely, Afghanistan fell five runs short of their target, experiencing a narrow defeat in a closely contested match.
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Here is how Twitter reacted:
Highest scores by a Sri Lankan captain in T20Is in Sri Lanka:
104* (57) – Tillakaratne Dilshan vs2011
69 (50) – Kumar Sangakkara vs2009
67 (32) – Wanindu Hasaranga vs2024 (today)
Hasaranga's 67 is also the 7th highest overall by a Lankan captain in T20Is#SLvAFG
— The Stats Kid (@TheStatsKid1523) February 17, 2024
Yes! That's a winning start for the Lions!
Sri Lanka have taken a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series against Afghanistan with a thrilling 4-run victory in Dambulla!#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/ik91P6BIFL
— Sri Lanka Cricket(@OfficialSLC) February 17, 2024
24-ball FIFTY for Captain Wanindu Hasaranga.
— Rishabh Singh Parmar (@irishabhparmar) February 17, 2024
Lord Wanindu#OrangeArmy #SunrisersHyderabad #SLvAFG #WaninduHasaranga pic.twitter.com/ENVuOdW1TW
— Orange Army (@srhfans0fficial) February 17, 2024
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