• Afghanistan thrashed Sri Lanka in the opening game of the 3-ODI series.

  • Ibrahim Zadran was adjudged 'Player of the Match' for his brilliant 98.

Twitter reactions: Ibrahim Zadran propels Afghanistan to their highest-ever successful ODI run chase against Sri Lanka
Ibrahim Zadran (Photo Source: Twitter)

In the first match of the three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in Hambantota on Friday (June 2), Afghanistan emerged victorious, defeating the hosts by 6 runs.

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to field on an overcast morning with a lively pitch. Fazalhaq Farooqi made an immediate impact by dismissing the comeback man Dimuth Karunaratne in the 3rd over. He also took the wicket of Kusal Mendis for 11, while Pathum Nissanka scored 38 but struggled to find fluency. Senior batter Angelo Mathews fell early, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman further dented Sri Lanka’s batting by getting Nissanka out in the 20th over.

With Sri Lanka reeling at 84 for 4, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva formed a crucial partnership of 99 runs for the 5th wicket. Dhananjaya dominated the partnership with a quick 51 off 59 balls but was dismissed in the 38th over, missing a straight delivery from Mohammad Nabi. After Dhananjaya’s dismissal, Sri Lanka failed to establish any significant partnerships. Captain Dasun Shanaka fell for 17, getting out to his Gujarat Titans teammate Noor Ahmad. However, Asalanka carried on and made 91 before getting run-out in the final over, missing a well-deserved century.

Despite Lahiru Kumara getting the early wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the 6th over, opener Ibrahim Zadran formed a strong second-wicket partnership of 146 runs with Rahmat Shah. This partnership put Afghanistan in a position of strength within the first 30 overs. Zadran was dismissed for 98 in the 30th over, but Rahmat continued to guide the team towards victory. However, he fell for 55, becoming Matheesha Pathirana’s first victim on his ODI debut. Pathirana, who had impressed for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023, had a forgettable ODI debut, conceding 66 runs in 8.5 overs.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

https://twitter.com/umairrr_20/status/1664596116002971648

https://twitter.com/im_vishal_raj/status/1664643057445138433

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