Fielding plays an important role in any format of cricket. In the second match against Afghanistan, the Sri Lankan fielders did not have a great day. Despite that Sri Lanka won the match by 34 runs in their second match against Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2019 played at Cardiff.
Defending the revised target of 187 in 41 overs, Afghanistan openers began well adding 34 runs for the opening wicket. Sri Lankan bowlers came back and reduced Afghanistan to 57 for 5. Naib and Najibullah Zadran added 64 runs for the 6th wicket, but Nuwan Pradeep provided the key breakthrough for Sri Lanka. He then dismissed Rashid Khan.
It was a brilliant bowling effort by the Sri Lankan bowlers especially Nuwan Pradeep who took 4 for 31. Despite Sri Lanka registering their first win of the tournament, the fielding was not up to the mark.
The incident happened in the 27th over when Dawlat Zadran hit a straight shot which Nuwan Pradeep missed on the follow through. Malinga slid over the ball and Mathews completes the hattrick of misfields which resulted in a boundary.
Sri Lanka was at 144 for 1 but Afghanistan bowlers made a strong comeback and reduced 1996 World Champions to 182 for 8 before the rain arrived. After the rain break, the match was 41 overs. Afghanistan bowled out Sri Lanka for 201 in 36.5 overs.
Sri Lanka fielding was not up to the mark. Despite their fielding lapses, the 1996 World Champions registered their first win by 34 runs via DL Method. Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Pradeep were the wreckers in chief for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka lost their first match of the tournament to New Zealand by 10 wickets. In the second match, Kusal Perera was the top scorer with 78, but rest of batting line up failed to score runs.
Fielding has let down Sri Lanka badly in recent times. They will take on Pakistan in their next match against Pakistan in Bristol on 7th June 2019.
Sri Lanka definitely needs to pull up their socks better in the fielding department. Kusal Mendis dropped a sitter which could have dismissed Zazai.
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