Sri Lanka seals ODI series after Asalanka, Hasaranga brilliance

Charith Asalanka, the deputy skipper, stroked an unbeaten 97, while all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga took excellent figures of 4 for 27 as Sri Lanka recorded an easy  155-run win over Afghanistan in their second ODI played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

It was a comfortable win, securing get series 2-0 with one match to spare. Sri Lanka displayed a good all round performance to win the game with great style.After Sri Lanka posted 308 for 6 wickets, Afghanistan reached 128 for 2 wickets at one stage after 26.2 overs. However Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought back strongly, with key leggie Wanindu Hasaranga leading the way, taking 4 for 27 in his 6.5 overs.Two pacemen Dilshan Madushanka and Promod Madushan gave good support by picking up two wickets each. Opener Ibrahim Zadran (54 in 76 balls with 6 fours), and Rahmat Shah (63 in 69 balls with 7 fours), making them the only successful batters before the lower-order collapsed. They were all out in 33.5 overs. Charith Asalanka was adjudged Man of the Match.

Skipper Kusal Mendis won the toss opted to bat first on a favourable batting track. However, openers Avishka Fernando and previous match double centurion Pathum Nissanka couldn’t get off to a good start, adding only 19 runs in the first five overs.Nissanka unfortunately fell to Azmatullah Omarzai’s LBW in the 4th over, scoring 18 runs. Skipper Kusal Mendis joined Avishka Fernando, but Fernando was out for 5 caught by Gulbadin Nabi off the bowling of paceman Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Kusal Mendis who lived dangerously from the beginning was not in full confidence. Sadeera Samarawickrama tried to build up the innings  adding third wicket 103 runs partnership and that was the turning point for Sri Lanka.Samarawickrama scored 52 in 61 balls with 3 fours was back in the pavilion at 27.2 over and leg spinner Quis Ahmed took his wicket while Mendis who completed his fifty in 55 balls was out for 61 in 65 balls with 6 fours and a six while Rahmanulla Gurbaz took a catch at backward square leg off Omarzai. The fifth wicket partnership of Janith Liyanage and Charith Asalanka made big pressure for Afghan team.

In fact Asalanka took full responsibility at this stage while all rounder Janith Liyanage gave fine support to increase the total and after 40 overs 201 for 5 wickets with healthy a run rate. The 111 runs partnership between Asalanka and Liyanage was the key factor helping Sri Lanka to pass 300 runs. Janith Liyanage who complete his second ODI  half century in 47 balls soon after was out to wrist spinner Noor Ahmed having hit 2 fours and 2 sixes in 48 balls.

Asalanka who completed run-a-ball fifty was the highlight of the Sri Lanka innings, unfortunately missed a deserved century was unbeaten on 97 in 74 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes while all rounder Wanindu Hasaranga who scored 14 in 13 balls with 2 fours was out in the last ball of the innings and Sri Lanka made 308 for 6 wickets at a run rate of 6.16.Azmatullah Omarzai the right arm medium paceman was the successful Afghan bowler taking 3 for 56.Meanwhile,  Sri Lanka paceman Dushmantha Chameera was out of the team yesterday  due to an injury and is yet to fully recover and he was replaced by paceman Asitha Fernando. The third and final ODI will be played on February 14 at the same venue.

( Source : Daily News)