Sri Lanka complete a series sweep

This victory secured a clean sweep for Sri Lanka with credit due to openers Pathum Nissanka who scored 118, and Avishka Fernando, who contributed 91 in a solid 173-run partnership. Sri Lanka openers added 83 runs in first 10 overs, maintaining a healthy run rate during the Power Play. Avishka Fernando reached his half-century in just 24 balls, including two sixes in the 10th over.

Avishka fell short of his century, departing for 91 in 66 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes in the 23rd over, while leg spinner Qais Ahmed made the breakthrough. Altough he missing out on a century in the first game, Avishka’s consistency alongside Nissanka was evident.By the 25th over, Sri Lanka had reached 187 for the loss of just one wicket, putting the Afghan bowlers under pressure.Skipper Kusal Mendis joined Nissanka, adding a further 78 runs for the second wicket. Nissanka reached his fifth ODI century with a single off Mohammed Nabi, taking 89 balls, including 13 fours and 2 sixes.Mendis played aggressively, scoring 40 in 29 balls with 4 sixes before being clean-bowled by Mohammed Nabi. Nissanka, who had previously scored an unbeaten 210 in the first game made 118 off 101 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes, while Qais Ahmed claimed his second wicket in the 33rd over, but Nissanka’s partnership with Avishka Fernando laid a remarkable foundation for victory, achieved with 88 balls to spare in 35.2 overs.

The 25-year-old right-hander, Pathum Nissanka, was named Man of the Match and Player of the Series for his outstanding performances. Overall, Sri Lanka’s top-order batsmen ended the series on a positive note.

Afghanistan having won the toss, chose to bat first for the first time in this series. A brisk start from opening pair Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran added 39 runs in 4.3 overs. However Zadran’s unfortunate run-out, courtesy of a direct hit by Avishka Fernando, turn the tide in Sri Lanka’s favour.The experienced Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell just two runs short of his well-deserved half century before being dismissed by spinner Akila Dhananjaya, who replaced Maheesh Theekshana. Rahmanullah attempted a paddle sweep ending his 57-ball innings with 6 fours and a six.

The in-form batter Rahmat Shah who scored his second consecutive fifty was out LBW to Dunith Wellalage who came in for Wanindu Hasaranga. Shah hit 65 in 77 balls with 7 fours and a six, while Azmatullah Omarzai the first match centurion, once again hit 54 in 59 balls with 4 fours. That prized wicket was taken by paceman Asitha Fernando in the 44th over. Afghanistan latter order batters failed to impress and were dismissed for 266 in 48.2 overs.

Afghanistan scored 200 for 4 wickets in 36.1 overs, but their last six wickets fell within 66 runs during 12 overs. Sri Lanka bowlers fought back strongly to keep them below 275-run mark on this batting-favoured wicket.Paceman Pramod Madushan who took 4 wickets on the first ODI once again came to the fore taking 3 for 45 in his 8.2 overs. Asitha Fernando, Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dhananjaya took two wickets each. Two of Sri Lanka’s key spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana were rested, giving a chance to young Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dhananjaya who played their first ODI after two and a half years.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka players wore black armbands during the game to pay tribute to former SLC Administrator, the late Trevor Rajarathnam.The two teams will meet in their T-20 three match series which will commence on February 17 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium under lights, starting at 7 pm each day.

( Source : Daily News)