In a high-octane cricketing battle at Dambulla, Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan within the first T20I of the three-match collection. The victory additionally established the hosts’ lead within the collection by 1-0. The Islanders outclassed the Afghans in each aspect of the sport, establishing their agency domination.
Wanindu Hasaranga leads cost with the willow
Invited to bat first, Sri Lanka confronted early setbacks with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis dismissals. Dhananjaya de Silva showcased a promising begin however succumbed after a short cameo of 24 runs off 17 balls, including to the facet’s predicament. Charith Asalanka‘s departure with just three runs further intensified the team’s battle.
Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga elevated himself up the order in a pivotal transfer, unleashing a spectacular innings that noticed him reaching a fifty in a mere 24 balls. Partnering with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who contributed 25 runs earlier than falling sufferer to a run-out, Hasaranga offered a much-needed resurgence. Nevertheless, 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 goal of 161 runs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran set a brisk tempo for Afghanistan from the second over of the innings. Regardless of Gurbaz’s spectacular cameo of 13 runs, he departed early, leaving the duty to the incoming batters. Gulbadin Naib, taking the crease at quantity three, may solely muster 16 runs off 17 balls. Though Karim Janat contributed a fast 20 off 16 balls, the dearth of great partnerships hindered Afghanistan’s chase. Zadran, preventing bravely until the top, discovered little assist from the remainder of the lineup.
With Afghanistan needing 14 runs within the final 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 5 runs wanting their goal, experiencing a slim defeat in a intently contested match.
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Right here is how Twitter reacted:
CAPTAIN WANINDU HASARANGA SHOW….!!!!
Sri Lanka underneath stress with 55 for 4 after which Captain smashed 67 runs from simply 32 balls – nice information for SRH in IPL 2024. pic.twitter.com/1WYvhjsQio
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 17, 2024
Highest scores by a Sri Lankan captain in T20Is in Sri Lanka:
104* (57) – Tillakaratne Dilshan vs 🇦🇺 2011
69 (50) – Kumar Sangakkara vs 🇳🇿 2009
67 (32) – Wanindu Hasaranga vs 🇦🇫 2024 (right this moment)
Hasaranga’s 67 can be the seventh highest general by a Lankan captain in T20Is#SLvAFG— The Stats Child (@TheStatsKid1523) February 17, 2024
Highest strike charge by Sri Lankan captain in a T20I inning. (60+ runs scored)
240.7 – Mahela Jayawardene vs KEN, 2007
210.8 – Kumar Sangakkara vs IND, 2009
209.4 – Wanindu Hasaranga vs AFG, 224 ***#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/uS2iJVXirY— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) February 17, 2024
Sure! That is a successful begin for the Lions! 🇱🇰
Sri Lanka have taken a 1-0 lead within the 3-match collection towards Afghanistan with an exciting 4-run victory in Dambulla!#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/ik91P6BIFL
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 17, 2024
24-ball FIFTY for Captain Wanindu Hasaranga.🔥🇱🇰🇦🇫#WaninduHasaranga #SLvAFG #SLvsAFG pic.twitter.com/HNIIBlwS61
— Rishabh Singh Parmar (@irishabhparmar) February 17, 2024
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 4 runs: https://t.co/4tiOX3qfRk#SLvAFG #cricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/pEkrzJd6iX
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 17, 2024
That is nice captaincy. Wanting least 30 runs. Loss was on the playing cards from ball one however in some way managed to twist the sport. Nice fielding by crew, bat&ball by captain & Pathirana. Pathirana regarded extra mature and was persistently hitting 150kmph with ease! Whattttttt!!! #SLvAFG
— VN (@VinTweets) February 17, 2024
https://twitter.com/BSharan_6/standing/1758905449817252265
Lord Wanindu 🛐#OrangeArmy #SunrisersHyderabad #SLvAFG #WaninduHasaranga pic.twitter.com/ENVuOdW1TW
— Orange Military (@srhfans0fficial) February 17, 2024
2 wickets in 3 balls for Dasun Shanaka ✌️#SLvAFG
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) February 17, 2024
HISTORY : Wanindu Hasaranga turns into the First Sri Lankan captain to scored half century towards Afghanistan in T20Is. #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/UDIScgjS73
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) February 17, 2024