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 gettꦓing run-out in the final over, missing a well-deservedꦺ century.
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. Pathiranaꩲ, who had impressed for the Cheꦑnnai Super Kings in IPL 2023, had a forgettable ODI debut, conceding 66 runs in 8.5 overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Afghanistan ha♏ve absolutely dominated Sri Lanka. �ꦯ�
The visitors chased down 269 in only 46.5 ove😼rs &🔥; with 6 wickets in hand. 🇦🇫👏🏻
Ibrahim Zadran – 98 (98).
— Saif Ahmed (@saifahmed75)
//twitter.com/MiniEscobarr/stat🐎us/1664599468082188290
What ꦓa run by Afghanistan.They beat Sri Lanka in the first ODI m𝔍atch by 6 wickets and taken 1-0 lead in this series.
Ibrahim Z🌞ad🌊ran the Hero for Afghanistan in this run chase. What a performance by Afghanistan!
— Tanuj Singh (@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🅘 ꦗby 6 wickets in the first ODI.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Ibrahim zadran next big thing in Afghanista🎐n🇦🇫 cricket 🍷 98 runs from98 balls 🙌 🐐
— 🇦🇫HIKMAT KHAN 🇦🇫 (@HikmatK81939960)
Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
//twitter.com/umairrr_20/statꦐus/16645961160029💮71648
Well Played Ibrahim Zadran👍🏻
— शुभेंदु पांडेय (@shubhendupk)
//twitter.com/420Ashvini/status/🌜1664596183778746369
Feeling sad for Ibrahim Zadrꦜan, he smashed 98 off 98 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.
— R🦅 (@141ovalclassic)
A superb innings by Ibrahim Zadran!
Photo Cr:— Zabihullah Saleem (@zabisaleem438)
//tw🌃itter.com/im_vishal_raj/status/1664643057445138433
