Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st T20I Highlights: Unmissable video recap, turning points, match analysis, stats and more

Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead over Afghanistan in the three-match T20I series as they beat them by four runs in the first game on Saturday, February 17 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla. After being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 160 in 19 overs with captain Wanindu Hasaranga top-scoring with a half-century.

In reply, Afghanistan could only reach 156/9 in their allotted 20 overs with captain Ibrahim Zadran being the lone Warrior with 67* (55). Afghanistan got off to a brisk start with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (13 off 6) and Zadran adding 25 for the first wicket off 17 balls.

After losing Gurbaz, who fell prey to Angelo Mathews, Zadran held one end and scored his fifth half-century. However, other batters failed to support him, with Karim Janat having the next-best score of 20 (16). Afghanistan needed 14 off the last two overs with three wickets in hand but some exceptional bowling by Matheesha Pathirana (4/24) and Binura Fernando at the death helped Sri Lanka register a narrow win.

Also Read: Twitter Reactions: Pathum Nissanka hits fifth gear with Pallekele double-ton

Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka lost their opener Pathum Nissanka (6 off 4) in the first over itself. His partner Kusal Mendis (10 off 8) also failed to get going as Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/25) got his second scalp of the match to leave Sri Lanka on 36/2 in 4.1 overs. Dhananjaya de Silva (24 off 17) also failed to convert his start and fell prey to Naveen ul Haq (2/25, 3 overs) while Noor Ahmad accounted for Charith Asalanka (3 off 7) leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 55/4 after 7.2 overs.

Wanindu Hasaranga slammed 67 off 32 balls

Seeing his team in trouble, captain Wanindu Hasaranga came out to bat with positive intent and slammed 67 runs off 32 balls. He was well supported by Sadeera Samarawickrama (25 off 24) who held one end and didn’t let wickets fall. The duo added 72 runs for the fifth wicket off 40 balls to help their side cross the 140-run mark.

After their partnership ended, the lower failed to contribute as Sri Lanka were all out for 160 in 19 overs. Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on Afghanistan’s victory. Here are some of the posts: