SL vs AFG 1st ODI, Highlights: Unmissable video recap, turning points & more

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan continued their ongoing multi-format series by facing off in the first ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Friday, February 9. The clash began with Sri Lanka batting first after losing the toss, and the side got off to a stellar start after opener Pathum Nissanka played a mammoth knock of 210* runs in 139 deliveries.

Furthermore, Avishka Fernando added 88 runs, with Kusal Mendis scoring 16 runs and Sadeera Samarawickrama scoring 45 runs in 36 deliveries. The brilliant batting performance from Sri Lanka put Afghanistan on their knees early in the clash.

The hosts posted a total of 381 runs with the loss of three wickets in the first innings of the clash. As for the visitors, Fareed Ahmad was the highest wicket-taker with two wickets to his name, and Mohammad Nabi struck once as well.

Afghanistan’s valiant effort in vain as Sri Lanka grab first ODI win

As the visitors aimed to chase down the mammoth target of 382 runs, they got off to a horrid start as Afghanistan’s top-order crumbled against Sri Lanka’s brilliant bowling performance. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran were sent packing for one and four runs, respectively. 

Furthermore, Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi were sent back to the pavilion for seven runs each. After the top-order’s collapse, the middle-order batters stabilised the innings for Afghanistan.

Azmatullah Omarzai played a valiant knock, scoring 149* runs in 115 deliveries. Mohammad Nabi added 136 runs in 130 deliveries on the board as Afghanistan edged ever closer to the mammoth target.

Afghanistan managed to score 339 runs with the loss of six wickets but ran out of overs before they could win the game. As for the hosts, Pramod Madushan was the highest wicket-taker with four wickets to his name, and Dushmantha Chameera took two wickets as Sri Lanka won the game by 42 runs and gained the lead in the series.

Here are the best tweets from the first ODI: