Sri Lanka put on an impressive performance in the second ODI of three-match series against Afghanistan and defeated the visitors by 132 runs at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (June 4).
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a great start and was highlighted by some strong batting performances. While Kusal Mendis top-scored for the Islanders and smashed a brilliant 78 runs off 75 balls, Dimuth Karunaratne scored a solid 52 runs off 62 deliveries. Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama also made valuable contributions of 43 and 44 runs, respectively. Other notable contribution for the home team came from Dhananjaya de Silva, whose crucial 29 runs in the end helped Sri Lanka post a formidable total of 323/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Fareed Malik and Mohammad Nabi were the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, taking two wickets each.
In reply, Afghanistan couldn’t get going in the run chase and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Although Hashmatullah Shahidi hammered 57 runs off 62 balls and Ibrahim Zadran added a convincing 54 runs off 75 deliveries for the Afghan side, no other batter could manage to cross the 40-run mark for them, and Afghanistan eventually were bowled out for 191 runs in 42.1 overs.
De Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga were the star performers with the ball for Sri Lanka. De Silva picked up three crucial wickets for the hosts and conceded just 39 runs in his quota of 10 overs. On the other hand, Hasaranga also claimed three wickets and gave away 42 runs in his nine overs. Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana both grabbed two wickets each as well. De Silva was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round performance.
With this victory, Sri Lanka levelled the series 1-1. Notably, Afghanistan won the first ODI by six wickets.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka roars back to form with a stunning victory over 🇦🇫 Afghanistan, winning by a massive 132 runs! 🏏🔥 #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/MYx1Vn2SlJ
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 4, 2023
Dhananjaya De Silva 🇱🇰🏏 “The All-rounder”
• He can bat well.
• He can bowl well.
• He can field well.One of the most impactful player for Sri Lanka at the moment. One name… More roles 🖤 #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/UrWv8gQxdf
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) June 4, 2023
After 7 years, for the first time Dhananjaya De Silva 🇱🇰🏏 won the Man of the Match award in the ODI format, which is the first MOM award won by a Sri Lankan player in the ODIs this year. #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/bsFxGADNkb
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) June 4, 2023
✅ 2019/06/04
✅ 2023/06/04Only twice, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 have played an ODI match on June 04.
Both against Afghanistan
Both matches won#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/ooXcmMxI53— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) June 4, 2023
It’s the 400th ODI victory for Sri Lanka. 🇱🇰🏆️@OfficialSLC @Cricketracker #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/6d0RyEUXk5
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) June 4, 2023
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 outplayed Afghanistan 🇦🇫 in all departments of the game to level the ODI series with their biggest ever 132 runs win over the visitors in the second ODI to set up the third as the final.#AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/TPd5z7QVaA
— M.Ibrahim Momand (@IbrahimReporter) June 4, 2023
Sri Lanka made a strong comeback to level the series after routing Afghanistan by 132 runs in the 2nd ODI.#SLvAFG #SriLanka #Afghanistan #Cricket pic.twitter.com/PmFvPrOBh7
— Sports world (@SportsWorl83285) June 4, 2023
Sri Lanka roars back to form with a stunning victory over Afghanistan 🇦🇫 Very well played 🇱🇰❤👏 Best of luck for final game 🏏#SLvAFG
— Nazia Sheikh (@n_sheikh007) June 4, 2023
Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan in the second One Day International (ODI) match. Sri Lanka Won By 132 Runs.
SL (323)( 50)
Afg( 191) (42.1) pic.twitter.com/4FszEP0Z3e— Cricket is Awesome (@cricketawesome1) June 4, 2023
2nd ODI | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
Sri Lanka won by 132 runs!
Sri Lanka 323-6 (50)
Afghanistan 191 (42.1)Player of the Match – Dhananjaya De Silva #SLvAFG #2ndODI #Hambantota pic.twitter.com/5AeTPFa8GP
— Thimira Navod (@ImThimira07) June 4, 2023
Congratulations
Sri Lanka threshed Afghanistan in 2nd ODI by 132 runs!— Abdullah Al Mamun (@aal_maamun) June 4, 2023
Kusal Mendis’ less than run a ball 78 has given Sri Lanka a chance of having a shot at 300 run total. His first half-century this year. His seventh ODI in 2023. pic.twitter.com/44hgeVel8f
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) June 4, 2023
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 132 runs and makes comeback in the series. The series is now 1-1. The third and final ODI will be played on 7 June.
— 🅒🅡🅘︎🅒︎🄲🅁🄰🅉🅈𝗠𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗨™ 🇮🇳❤️ (@MSDianMrigu) June 4, 2023