In the first match of the three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in Hambantota on Friday (June 2), Afghanistan emerged victorious, defeating the hosts by 6 runs.
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to field on an overcast morning with a lively pitch. Fazalhaq Farooqi made an immediate impact by dismissing the comeback man Dimuth Karunaratne in the 3rd over. He also took the wicket of Kusal Mendis for 11, while Pathum Nissanka scored 38 but struggled to find fluency. Senior batter Angelo Mathews fell early, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman further dented Sri Lanka’s batting by getting Nissanka out in the 20th over.
With Sri Lanka reeling at 84 for 4, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva formed a crucial partnership of 99 runs for the 5th wicket. Dhananjaya dominated the partnership with a quick 51 off 59 balls but was dismissed in the 38th over, missing a straight delivery from Mohammad Nabi. After Dhananjaya’s dismissal, Sri Lanka failed to establish any significant partnerships. Captain Dasun Shanaka fell for 17, getting out to his Gujarat Titans teammate Noor Ahmad. However, Asalanka carried on and made 91 before getting🌜 run-out in the final over, missing a well-deserved ce🧸ntury.
Despite Lahiru Kumara getting the early wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the 6th over, opener Ibrahim Zadran formed a strong second-wicket partnership of 146 runs with Rahmat Shah. This partnership put Afghanistan in a position of strength within the first 30 overs. Zadran was dismissed for 98 in the 30th over, but Rahmat continued to guide the team towards victory. However, he fell for 55, becoming Matheesha Pathirana’s first victim on his ODI debut. Pathirana, who had impressed for the Chennai Sup🦂er Kings in IPL 2023, had a forgettable ODI debut, conceding 66 runs in 8.5 ove🌃rs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Afghani𓆉stan have absolutely dominated Sri Lanka. 🔥
The visitors ch🎶ased down 2🉐69 in only 46.5 overs & with 6 wickets in hand. 🇦🇫👏🏻
Ibrahim Zadran – 98 (98).
— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75)
What an ♔incredible knock from Ibrahim Za😼dran! This young talent is shining bright and proving to be a rising star for Afghanistan cricket. 🏏🔥 Keep an eye on him, folks! "
— Pablo 🇯🇲 (@MiniEscobarr)
What a run by Afghanistan.They beat Sri Lanka𓄧 in the first ODI match by 6 wickeಌts and taken 1-0 lead in this series.
Ibrahim Zadran the Hero for Afghani🍃stan in this run chase. What a performance by Afghanistan!
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
What a remarkable run-chase by Afghanistan.
Chasing 269 runs, Ibrahim Zadran 98(🍌98) & Rahmat Shah 55(80) helped Afghanistan to beat Sri Lanka by 6 wic൩kets in the first ODI.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Ibrahim zadran next big thing in Afghanistan🇦🇫 cricket 98 runs from9𒅌8 balls 🙌 🐐
— 🇦🇫HIKMAT KHAN 🇦🇫 (@HikmatK81939960)
Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
//twitter.com/umairrr_20/status/16645961160029💎71648
Well Played Ibrahim Zadran👍🏻
— शुभेंदु पांडेय (@shubhendupk)
What a knock by Ibrahim Zadran – 98 (98) against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. A fantastic effort by 21 year old Zadran
— Ashvini 420 (@420Ashvini)
Feeling sad for Ibrahim Zadran, he smashed 98 off 9🌞8 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes, he prevoiusly scored couple of Hundred against Sri lanka in 2022, he scored this in chasing 269 runs.
Well played.
— Re𝕏anth (@141ovalclassic)
A superb innings by Ibrahim Zadran!
Photo Cr:— Zabihullah Saleem (@zabisaleem438)
//twitter.ꦬcom/im_vishal_raj/sta🎀tus/1664643057445138433
