Pallekele, February 11, 2024: Sri Lanka continued their dominance over Afghanistan, securing a resounding 155-run victory in the second ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. This win puts them in a commanding position with a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Sri Lanka Bat Strong:
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start, losing both openers cheaply. However, a solid middle-order rebuild propelled them to a mammoth total. Kusal Mendis (79), Sadeera Samarawickrama (54), Charith Asalanka (52), and Janith Liyanage (51) all contributed valuable fifties, taking the score to a respectable 250/4. A late cameo from Wanindu Hasaranga (37) pushed the total further to 308/6, setting a challenging target for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Falter in Chase:
In response, Afghanistan’s chase got off to a disastrous start, losing three wickets inside the powerplay. While Ibrahim Zadran (59) and Rahmat Shah (52) showed some resistance with fifties, wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing any significant partnerships. The Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/33) and Dushmantha Chameera (2/28), kept the pressure on, bowling with discipline and accuracy. Afghanistan were eventually bundled out for a paltry 153 runs in 33.5 overs, falling short by a massive 155 runs.
Player of the Match:
Kusal Mendis was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match for his crucial innings of 79 runs, which provided the foundation for Sri Lanka’s strong total.
Highlights of the Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI
Sri Lanka Batting:
- Shaky start with openers falling cheaply.
- Kusal Mendis (79) steadys the ship with a well-paced innings.
- Sadeera Samarawickrama (54), Charith Asalanka (52), and Janith Liyanage (51) contribute valuable fifties.
- Late cameo from Wanindu Hasaranga (37) boosts the total to 308/6.
Afghanistan Bowling:
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/63) and Rashid Khan (1/59) unable to make major inroads.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (1/49) provides some breakthroughs but lacks support.
Afghanistan Batting:
- Early collapse with three wickets lost in the powerplay.
- Ibrahim Zadran (59) and Rahmat Shah (52) offer brief resistance with fifties.
- Middle-order fails to capitalize, wickets fall at regular intervals.
- Sri Lankan bowlers maintain pressure, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/33) and Dushmantha Chameera (2/28).
Key Moments:
- Mendis’ fifty lays the foundation for Sri Lanka’s strong total.
- Zadran and Shah provide hope for Afghanistan before their dismissals trigger a collapse.
- Hasaranga’s three wickets dismantle Afghanistan’s lower order.
Additional Notes:
- Sri Lanka’s bowling attack exhibits excellent discipline and accuracy.
- Afghanistan’s batting woes continue, particularly in the top order.
- Sri Lanka in prime position to clinch the series win in the final ODI.
Where to find highlights:
- You can find video highlights on YouTube channels of various cricket broadcasters like Star Sports, SonyLIV, and ICC.
- Cricket news websites like Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo also provide match summaries and highlights.
Coach Reactions to Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI:
Sri Lanka:
- Mickey Arthur (Sri Lanka Head Coach): “Very pleased with the team’s performance today. Batting was well-balanced, and bowlers executed their plans perfectly. Mendis played a crucial knock, and bowlers like Hasaranga and Chameera were outstanding. We need to maintain this momentum for the final match.”
Afghanistan:
- Jonathon Trott (Afghanistan Head Coach): “Disappointing result, but credit to Sri Lanka for playing well. We had a poor start with the bat, and couldn’t recover. Top-order needs to step up in the final match. Hopefully, we can learn from our mistakes and come back stronger.”
Additional Notes:
- Trott also mentioned the team is working on improving their communication and understanding of match situations, following the qualification confusion in the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka.
- Arthur highlighted the importance of giving opportunities to young players throughout the series, keeping the upcoming World Cup in mind.
What changes are both teams considering for the final ODI?
Sri Lanka:
- Possible: They might rest some key players like Kusal Mendis or Wanindu Hasaranga considering they have already clinched the series win. This could give opportunities to fringe players like Dhananjaya de Silva or Nuwanidu Fernando.
- Focus: Maintaining their winning momentum, focusing on improving middle-order stability, and trying out variations in bowling attack dynamics.
Afghanistan:
- Crucial: Addressing their top-order batting woes. They might consider promoting Najibullah Zadran or Rahmanullah Gurbaz to open the innings, or even experiment with a different opening combination altogether.
- Other areas: Strengthening their bowling attack by bringing in fresh legs like Fazalhaq Farooqi or Gulbadin Naib, and working on fielding coordination to avoid costly errors.
Remember, these are just speculations based on available information. The final decisions will be made by the respective team managements and will likely be revealed closer to the match date.
