Dominant Performance and Record-Breaking Feats: Sri Lankaโs Triumph Over Afghanistan
Sri Lanka asserted its dominance by sweeping the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory in the final game at Pallekele on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 267, Sri Lanka comfortably reached their goal with 88 balls to spare, extending their control over the visiting team. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka showcased his prowess by smashing his fifth one-day international century, marking his second in the series.
Nissankaโs stellar performance throughout the series saw him amass a total of 346 runs, making him the highest run scorer for Sri Lanka in a three-match series. His remarkable feat surpasses the previous record held by Roshan Mahanama, who scored 267 runs in three ODIs against Zimbabwe in 1994.
Notably, Nissankaโs unbeaten 210 in the first game made him the first Sri Lankan to achieve a double hundred in ODI cricket. Additionally, he became the fastest Sri Lankan to reach the 2,000 ODI runs milestone in just 52 innings, surpassing the previous record set by Upul Tharanga.
The match saw Sri Lankaโs batsmen deliver exceptional performances, with Avishka Fernando and captain Kusal Mendis contributing significantly to the teamโs success. Despite the absence of experienced spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman due to injury, Afghanistan struggled to contain Sri Lankaโs formidable batting lineup.
In their innings, Afghanistanโs performance was inconsistent, with a promising start followed by a collapse towards the end. Although Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai provided a solid foundation with their half-centuries, the team faltered in the middle order, resulting in a disappointing finish.
Sri Lankaโs bowling attack, led by Pramod Madushan, put pressure on Afghanistan, restricting them to a manageable total. Off-spinner Akila Dananjaya, making a comeback after remodeling his action in 2021, made significant contributions to the teamโs success.
With victories in all three ODIs, Sri Lanka showcased their dominance and comprehensive cricket prowess. As the teams prepare for the upcoming three-match T20 series, scheduled to commence in Dambulla on February 17, anticipation mounts for another exciting chapter in their cricketing rivalry.
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The previous encounters between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan ignites an electrifying Cricket Rivalry
My name is Mohd Ali, and Iโm a digital marketer, content writer, creator, video editor, and blogger. Every day, I share information related to cricket and football on my blog. I reside in the city of Hyderabad, and I completed my graduation from EIILM University, Sikkim. I am the founder of newsblog4u.com.
