HAMBANTOTA: Part-centuries through Sri Lanka openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka made quick paintings of Afghanistan in a nine-wicket drubbing that clinched a 2-1 ODI collection win for the hosts Wednesday. Sri Lanka eased to 120 with 34 overs to spare in Hambantota, after a fast-bowling assault led through man-of-the-match Dushmantha Chameera had demolished the hapless Afghan most sensible order. It used to be simply the spice up Sri Lanka wanted ahead of keeping off for a qualifying event in Zimbabwe, with two closing slots up for grabs for the Global Cup.
Afghanistan are already thru to the Global Cup, to be held in India from October, however skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi used to be left to rue “a foul day for our batters”. “We misplaced too many wickets and it put us below force,” he instructed journalists. “I nonetheless really feel it used to be a just right name to bat first however we misplaced too many wickets previous on and that took the momentum clear of us.” Nissanka didn’t waste time when the chase started, racing to his 7th ODI half-century in 32 balls with 8 fours and two sixes.
He departed on 51 after being trapped leg ahead of through Gulbadin Naib to finish an 84-run stand for the hole wicket. Fellow opener Karunaratne, that includes in his first ODI collection in additional than two years, made 56 no longer out to make certain that Sri Lanka reached the objective with out every other wicket falling. His 56 got here off 45 balls with seven limitations, making his 8th half-century within the structure. Kusal Mendis used to be unbeaten on 11 as Sri Lanka reached the objective in simply 16 overs to finish the sport early.
Afghanistan gained the toss and elected to bat, however fast-bowling spearhead Chameera established Sri Lanka’s dominance early with two fiery spells that left the vacationers not able to put up a good partnership. Chameera, taking part in his first collection after ankle surgical treatment sidelined him for seven months, earned man-of-the-match honors along with his 4-63. “The wicket used to be sluggish lately so we needed to type out our methods.
There used to be just right backup for me from remainder of the bowlers,” he stated. “It’s essential to stay issues tight and while you do this, batsmen take dangers, and there are extra possibilities so that you can pick out up wickets.” Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga polished off the Afghan tail with 3-7 whilst fast Lahiru Kumara claimed two wickets, because the vacationers folded for 116 all out. Afghanistan gained the primary recreation comprehensively through six wickets, however Sri Lanka bounced again to take the second one recreation through 132 runs.- AFP