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Last Updated : 2024-04-29 06:36:00
9 February 2024 11:51 pm - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By M. Shamil Amit reporting from Pallekele Stadium
Pallekele, Feb. 9 (Daily Mirror) - An inevitable win for Sri Lanka was only delayed by Afghanistan’s sixth wicket pair, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzi, who both cracked tons and shared a 242-run stand, as it turned out to be insufficient and too late.
Afghanistan, in their massive run chase of 382 runs, put themselves in deep trouble as they lost their top five wickets with just 55 on the scoreboard and ended up with a score of 339 for 6 to give Sri Lanka a win by 42 runs in the first of the three-match ODI series played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today and take a 1-0 lead.
Earlier in the day, Pathum Nissanka was on fire whilst running riot as he sent the Afghanistan bowlers on a leather hunt by slamming an unbeaten knock of 210 runs in only 139 balls, which included 20 boundaries and eight towering sixes, to become the first Sri Lanka batsman to slam an ODI double ton to help Sri Lanka, invited to take first lease of the wicket, to end with a formidable score of 381 for 3.
Nissanka, along with his opening partner Avishka Fernando, paid scant respect as they posted Sri Lanka’s first 50 runs in 45 balls, which followed with Nissanka racing to his half ton in only 31 balls, which comprised seven boundaries and a six.
The pair posted Sri Lanka’s 100 runs on the board in 75 balls, with the second 50 runs coming in much quicker in 30 balls. Fernando, though playing second fiddle, reached his half ton in 55 balls, and the pair, batting cautiously, went on to post Sri Lanka’s 150 runs before Fareed Ahmed made the breakthrough with the wicket of Fernando, who cracked a run-a-ball knock of 88 that included eight boundaries and three sixes, associating in an opening wicket stand of 182 runs in only 158 balls. Nissanka, joined by skipper Kusal Mendis, shared a brief partnership of 43 runs for the second wicket. Nissanka found another reliable partner in Sadeera Samarawickrama as the pair shared another quick-fire stand for the third wicket, that of 120 runs in 71 balls, before they were separated with the dismissal of Samarawickrama, who made 44 in 36 balls with four boundaries and a six as Sri Lanka’s innings came to an end with Nissanka and Charith Asalanka sharing an unbroken 36-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Terrence K Saturday, 10 February 2024 09:28 AM
Congratulations Pathum for your excellent performance!! If not for you and some others we wonder whether the Afghans would have demolished Sri Lanka as our batting line has been inconsistent although we have talent!!!!!!
Jayantha Saturday, 10 February 2024 10:19 AM
Good knock. If mendis stayed too long with that pathetic batting SL would have lost the match. Mendis is not a batter to bat at top order. He should bat ag 6 or 7 or dropped. Look at his domastic career too. Hardly he has made big scores. Money talks works with mendis
DOT Saturday, 10 February 2024 11:58 AM
Congratulations! Make as a habit!
Hapun Saturday, 10 February 2024 12:38 PM
We are following western practices of assuming that the young can lead. Our 20s kids have not matured enough to take up a leading role except a very few. This guy is not cut out for the captaincy. Has he led a team in the LPL to a championship? He cannot even a secure a place in the IPL. He has no discipline, cannot talk, and no strategy!
VJ Saturday, 10 February 2024 01:46 PM
Congratulations! You have made Sri Lanka proud specially at a time where good news is hard to come by.
Russell von Bergheim Saturday, 10 February 2024 02:53 PM
Not the greatest limited over performance to get excited about. Let’s not forget that batsmen from the opposing scoured centuries!
cricketer Sunday, 11 February 2024 09:00 AM
The double century scored by Pathum Nissanka against a second string Afghanistan team minus some of their top players is one of the greatest innings by a Sri Lankan batsman in recent years. Something to make us proud.
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