Afghanistan stunned the hosts, Sri Lanka, by 60 runs in the first One-day international match played at Palleke International Stadium, Palleke on 25 November 2022. Afghanistan captain Hasmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to bat first. Rahmatullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran opened the innings.
Gurbaz showed intent right from the word go putting pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. The right-handed Ibrahim looked composed with his shots keeping the momentum going for Afghanistan.
Gurbaz made use of the drop chance not allowing the Sri Lankan bowlers to settle. He completed fifty off 50 balls. Hasranaga got a breakthrough by dismissing Gurbaz for a well-made 53. Gurbaz and Ibrahim added 84 runs for the opening wicket. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah looked solid keeping the scoreboard ticking and taking singles.
Ibrahim Zadran completed his fifty off 62 balls. Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim showed their intent not to allow Lankan bowlers to settle. Lahiru Kumara eventually dismissed Shah to end a strong 118 runs for the 2nd wicket. Ibrahim Zadran looked composed completing his 2nd century in his ODI career off 116 balls.
Najibullah Zadran showed his class by putting pressure on Lankan bowlers. Theekshana dismissed Ibrahim Zadran with an easy catch to Hasranaga at long-on. Najibullah and Ibrahim added 30 runs for the 3rd wicket.
The Sri Lankan bowlers made a strong comeback in the death overs. Hasaranga dismissed Najibullah Zadran to end 35 runs stand between Najibullah and Naib. There was some brilliant fielding as substitute fielder Bandara produced 2 run-outs. At the end of 50 overs, Afghanistan posted 294 for 8 in 50 overs.
Second hundred in his sixth ODI 🎉
A brilliant knock from Ibrahim Zadran! 👏
Watch the #SLvAFG series on https://t.co/CPDKNx77KV (in select regions) 📺 pic.twitter.com/KGpbM7AE56
— ICC (@ICC) November 25, 2022
Ibrahim Zadran made headlines with a hundred
Yamin Ahmadzai got rid of dangerous Kusal Mendis cheaply. Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal showed intent in putting Afghan bowlers under pressure. Fazallahq Farqooi produced a peach to dismiss Dinesh Chandimal. Dhananjaya de Silva and Nissanka kept the pressure on the Afghan bowlers. At the end of the first 10 overs, Sri Lanka scored 60 for 2.
Naib struck to dismiss Dhanajaya de Silva. Dhananjay de Silva and Nissanka added 39 runs for the 3rd wicket. Naib got rid of Charith Asalanaka with a simple catch to Ibrahim Zadran at slips to leave Lanka in trouble. Afghanistan bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals despite Hasaranga’s brilliance.
Farqooi ended the innings by dismissing Hasranaga for a well-made 66. Afghanistan bowled out Sri Lanka for 234 in 38 overs. Ibrahim Zadran registered the highest score by an Afghanistan batter in ODI against Lanka. The previous best was by Rahmat Shah of 72.
For his 106 off 120 balls, Ibrahim Zadran was named the player of the match. Afghanistan takes a 1-0 lead in 3 match ODI series. This series is a part of the ICC ODI Super League. Sri Lanka needs to win 3 out of 5 matches for direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup while Afghanistan is at the number 7 spot. The second ODI will be played on the same ground on 27th November.
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