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Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 1st T20I Match Summary

SL vs AFG, 2024 - T20 Summary

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Scorecard
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Match Ended   
1st T20I, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Rangiri , Feb 17, 2024
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
160 (19.0/20)
Afghanistan Afghanistan
156/9 (20.0/20)
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 4 runs
  • Player of the Match
    Matheesha Pathirana
    5(4)&4/24(4)
SL 160/10
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/107713-wanidu-hasaranga-playerprofile>Wanindu Hasaranga</a>
Wanindu Hasaranga
67 (32)
  • 7x4s
  • 3x6s
  • 209.37SR
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Sadeera Samarawickrama
25 (24)
  • 3x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 104.16SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Fazalhaq Farooqi
ECON 6.25
4
OVERS
25/3
R/W
Bowler
Naveen-ul-Haq
ECON 8.33
3
OVERS
25/2
R/W
AFG 156/9
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/111850-ibrahim-zadran-playerprofile>Ibrahim Zadran</a>
Ibrahim Zadran
67 (55)
  • 8x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 121.81SR
<a href=/cricket/players/107476-karim-janat-playerprofile>Karim Janat</a>
Karim Janat
20 (16)
  • 2x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 125SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Matheesha Pathirana
ECON 6.00
4
OVERS
24/4
R/W
Bowler
Dasun Shanaka
ECON 8.50
2
OVERS
17/2
R/W
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Right then, that is it from this game and it is the hosts, Sri Lanka who have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan who will believe that they can make a comeback as they really got close in this game as well. Sri Lanka on the other hand will have their eyes on sealing the series in the next game. The 2nd T20I will be played at the very same ground in Dambulla on Monday, 19 February and will begin at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT). However, you can catch our build-up to the game a lot sooner. Cheers!
Wanindu Hasaranga, the skipper of Sri Lanka says that it was a close game and says he feels they were 15 runs short. Adds that he didn't try to overdo anything and held onto the basics. Says that the batters should take more responsibility in the coming games. Ends up by saying that they will perform more strongly in the second game.
Ibrahim Zadran, the skipper of Afghanistan says that he doesn't like losing but it is part of the game and they gave their best on the field and will come back stronger. Reckons that it was a chasable score and they had a good Powerplay but wickets in the middle and batters not taking responsibility was the main issue. Adds that it is part of the game and no one wants to commit mistakes and credits the Lankan bowlers who bowled well and didn't have many partners to get the win. Ends by saying that he is happy with his knock but not satisfied and would want to win this type of game for his country.
The Presentation ceremony...
Afghanistan will be thinking long and hard about how they let this game slip and with just 14 runs needed off 12 deliveries, they should have really won. They were more than decent with the ball apart from one phase and all the three frontline pacers got at least a couple of wickets each but it was Fazalhaq Farooqi who was the standout with 3 wickets to his name. Qais Ahmad and Noor Ahmad were both expensive and surprisingly, Mohammad Nabi didn't bowl at all but they did well to bundle out Sri Lanka for 160. With the bat, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran started off well and just when the former got going, he went for one too many shots and gave his wicket away. The skipper stood strong and built a partnership first with Gulbadin Naib and then after they lost a few wickets, he stitched another stand with Karim Janat which got them into a position of promise. Ibrahim also brought up a stellar half-century, however, he kept on losing partners and with 3 wickets intact and two overs to go, they lost two wickets in the 19th over and Ibrahim couldn't perform under pressure in the final over.
Matheesha Pathirana is the POTM for his lethal death bowling and exceptional figures of 4/24 in his four overs. He says he is happy to contribute to the team and it feels special. Says that this was his second T20I for Sri Lanka and that he cannot control his happiness. He adds he has a little experience of playing the IPL and he says that he executed the line and length pretty well in the penultimate over.
After being put into bat first, Sri Lanka lost an in-form Pathum Nissanka early and then the top order put on a few runs but no one could really kick on. It was then a staggering knock from the skipper, Wanindu Hasaranga himself that got the Lankans into a very good position but they lost their way in the final five overs or so and could only hobble to 160 runs. With the ball though, they did get a fairly early wicket thanks to Angelo Mathews but then they conceded a stand and were under the pump. Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana and Dasun Shanaka all got into the wickets column soon after and got their side back in the game before another stand took the game away. In the last four overs, Pathirana bowled 2 overs and got 3 wickets at the death hardly giving away any runs as well. Binura Fernando who had an expensive outing, repaid the fate put in him by the captain by bowling four dots on the trot in the final over and sealed a famous victory.
The first-ever T20I match in Dambulla and what a cracker of a game we have witnessed here as hosts Sri Lanka have stolen it at the death in front of a jam-packed home crowd. A frantic last couple of overs but what death bowling from Matheesha Pathirana and even Binura Fernando held his nerves brilliantly in the final over leaving Afghanistan still without a win in this tour and the skipper, Ibrahim Zadran will be the most distraught man out there.
Over 20 : 156/9
6 Runs
  • 019.1
  • 019.2
  • 019.3
  • 019.4
  • 219.5
  • 419.6
I. Zadran
67 (55)
F. Farooqi
0 (0)
B. Fernando
4-0-44-0
19.6
4
Binura Fernando To Ibrahim Zadran
FOUR! Not enough! Sri Lanka steal a sensational win by 4 runs at Dambulla. And it is fair to say that Matheesha Pathirana stood between the win and Afghanistan. Binura holds his line outside off from over the wicket and fuller in length, Ibrahim Zadran throws his bat at it and connects well through extra covers for a boundary. But it is too late. Sri Lanka take the series lead by 1-0 by winning this first T20I. What a humdinger of a contest this has been!
19.5
2
Binura Fernando To Ibrahim Zadran
DROPPED! On off and full, Ibrahim Zadran tries to heave it out of the park but slices it uppishly towards deep third man. The ball lands between the two converging fielders in the deep and there's no clear call to take the catch. They run a couple of runs.
19.4
0
Binura Fernando To Ibrahim Zadran
Fourth dot ball in a row! Full and wide outside off from over the wicket, Ibrahim Zadran looks to drive through the covers but he overhits it and falls on his knees but fails to connect.
19.3
0
Binura Fernando To Ibrahim Zadran
What a sensational last over this is turning out to be! Another dot! Fuller in length and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it to deep point but does not run again. 11 off 3 now.
19.2
0
Binura Fernando To Ibrahim Zadran
Full toss and angling outside off, Ibrahim Zadran swings wildly and misses! Another dot delivery! 4 balls remaining and 11 needed still.
19.1
0
Binura Fernando To Ibrahim Zadran
A crucial dot delivery by Binura Fernando! Full and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran drives hard shuffling on off towards deep extra cover but denies to take the single.
Fazalhaq Farooqi is the last man in for Afghanistan but he won't be on strike. 11 needed off the final over. It will be Binura Fernando to bowl the final over. Fernando has been expensive but can he defend 10 runs and win the game for his side? Also, there is a slight hold-up in play as there is an issue with one of the stumps again. The groundstaff fix the stump that was broken and we can now continue.
Over 19 : 150/9
3 Runs
  • 118.1
  • 018.2
  • W 18.3
  • 118.4
  • 118.5
  • W 18.6
Naveen
1 (2)
I. Zadran
61 (49)
M. Pathirana
4-0-24-4
18.6
W
Matheesha Pathirana To Naveen-ul-Haq OUT!
OUT! BULL'S EYE! Matheesha Pathirana destroys the timber with an exceptional yorker! Guns a perfect yorker on off, Naveen-ul-Haq comes ahead a couple of steps and shuffles a bit to the leg side looking to squeeze it to the off side but exposes the stumps in that process and misses to connect the ball. The rock shatters the stumps again. Matheesha Pathirana is making the ball talk here. What a sensational penultimate over and a perfect display of death over bowling from Pathirana. Just three runs and two wickets from this over. 11 needed off the last over now. Matheesha Pathirana has made the ground staff work to replace the stumps as he has destroyed the timber thrice in this match.
18.5
1
Matheesha Pathirana To Ibrahim Zadran
On the length and outside off, Ibrahim tucks it to covers off the back foot and runs a single.
18.4
1
Matheesha Pathirana To Naveen-ul-Haq
Full and slower on stumps, Naveen flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Naveen-ul-Haq is the new man in.
18.3
W
Matheesha Pathirana To Noor Ahmad OUT!
OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Matheesha Pathirana, you beauty! What a sensational delivery and what a star this bowler is! Noor has no answers to it! With a bit of an inward movement from off on a length, Noor Ahmad stands confused and is caught in two minds whether to play it on the back foot and gets squared up, and is too late to bring the bat down. The ball breaks the stumps in the blink of an eye. Matheesha Pathirana gets his third scalp.
18.2
0
Matheesha Pathirana To Noor Ahmad
BEATEN! Full, outside off, Noor swings and misses.
18.1
1
Matheesha Pathirana To Ibrahim Zadran
Pathirana comes into the penultimate over and bowls fuller on the middle and leg channel, Ibrahim Zadran drills it toward long on for a single.
Over 18 : 147/7
10 Runs
  • W 17.1
  • 017.2
  • 617.3
  • 117.4
  • 117.5
  • 217.6
N. Ahmad
9 (4)
I. Zadran
59 (47)
M. Theekshana
4-0-31-1
17.6
2
Maheesh Theekshana To Noor Ahmad
Full and on the middle stump line, Noor Ahmad steers it towards widish long on for a brace. 10 runs from this over and Afghanistan are still in this contest. 14 needed of the last 12 balls remaining.
17.5
1
Maheesh Theekshana To Ibrahim Zadran
On full and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it down the ground towards long off for a single.
17.4
1
Maheesh Theekshana To Noor Ahmad
Good cricket. Tossed up on stumps, Noor nudges it to square leg for a single.
17.3
6
Maheesh Theekshana To Noor Ahmad
SIX! Noor Ahmed strikes big! Serves a juicy half-volley on the stumps, Noor Ahmad swings hard clearing his front leg and deposits into the stands over long on for a biggie. What a pressure-releasing hit that is!
17.2
0
Maheesh Theekshana To Noor Ahmad
On top of off and on a length, Noor Ahmad pushes it to mid off.
Noor Ahmad is the new batter in.
17.1
W
Maheesh Theekshana To Qais Ahmad OUT!
OUT! TAKEN! Theekshana provides a wicket and at what time? A juicy full toss on offer on middle but Qais Ahmed completely mistimes it making a mess of it and it takes the leading edge as he closes the bat's face pretty early. The ball lobs up in the air and Kamindu Mendis (the substitute fielder) takes an easy catch.
Over 17 : 137/6
12 Runs
  • W 16.1
  • 416.2
  • 2 WD 16.3
  • 116.3
  • 1 WD 16.4
  • 1 WD 16.4
  • 016.4
  • 316.5
  • 016.6
I. Zadran
58 (46)
Q. Ahmad
7 (3)
M. Pathirana
3-0-21-2
16.6
0
Matheesha Pathirana To Ibrahim Zadran
On the back of a length and outside off, Ibrahim drops it down to the off side. Getting closer here the Afghans. The equation now stands at 24 runs required off 18 balls.
Full Commentary
20 OV
6 Runs
B. Fernando to I. Zadran
  • 019.1
  • 019.2
  • 019.3
  • 019.4
  • 219.5
  • 419.6
19 OV
3 Runs
M. Pathirana to I. Zadran N. Ahmad Naveen
  • 118.1
  • 018.2
  • W 18.3
  • 118.4
  • 118.5
  • W 18.6
18 OV
10 Runs
M. Theekshana to Q. Ahmad N. Ahmad I. Zadran
  • W 17.1
  • 017.2
  • 617.3
  • 117.4
  • 117.5
  • 217.6
17 OV
12 Runs
M. Pathirana to K. Janat Q. Ahmad I. Zadran
  • W 16.1
  • 416.2
  • 2 WD 16.3
  • 116.3
  • 1 WD 16.4
  • 1 WD 16.4
  • 016.4
  • 316.5
  • 016.6
16 OV
8 Runs
W. Hasaranga to I. Zadran K. Janat
  • 115.1
  • 115.2
  • 015.3
  • 415.4
  • 015.5
  • 215.6
15 OV
13 Runs
B. Fernando to K. Janat
  • 1 WD 14.1
  • 014.1
  • 414.2
  • 214.3
  • 014.4
  • 214.5
  • 414.6
14 OV
11 Runs
D. Shanaka to I. Zadran K. Janat
  • 413.1
  • 113.2
  • 1 WD 13.3
  • 113.3
  • 113.4
  • 213.5
  • 113.6
13 OV
4 Runs
W. Hasaranga to K. Janat I. Zadran
  • 112.1
  • 112.2
  • 012.3
  • 112.4
  • 112.5
  • 012.6
12 OV
6 Runs
D. Shanaka to M. Nabi N. Zadran K. Janat I. Zadran
  • 211.1
  • W 11.2
  • 1 WD 11.3
  • W 11.3
  • 111.4
  • 211.5
  • 011.6
11 OV
7 Runs
M. Pathirana to I. Zadran M. Nabi
  • 110.1
  • 210.2
  • 110.3
  • 1 WD 10.4
  • 010.4
  • 110.5
  • 110.6
10 OV
5 Runs
M. Theekshana to I. Zadran M. Nabi
  • 09.1
  • 19.2
  • 09.3
  • 19.4
  • 19.5
  • 29.6
9 OV
2 Runs
M. Pathirana to A. Omarzai I. Zadran
  • 18.1
  • 08.2
  • 18.3
  • 08.4
  • 08.5
  • W 8.6
8 OV
3 Runs
W. Hasaranga to G. Naib I. Zadran A. Omarzai
  • 17.1
  • 17.2
  • 07.3
  • 07.4
  • W 7.5
  • 17.6
7 OV
9 Runs
M. Theekshana to G. Naib I. Zadran
  • 46.1
  • 16.2
  • 16.3
  • 16.4
  • 16.5
  • 16.6
6 OV
5 Runs
W. Hasaranga to G. Naib I. Zadran
  • 05.1
  • 45.2
  • 05.3
  • 15.4
  • 05.5
  • 05.6
5 OV
16 Runs
B. Fernando to I. Zadran G. Naib
  • 14.1
  • 14.2
  • 44.3
  • 54.4
  • 14.5
  • 44.6
4 OV
11 Runs
M. Theekshana to I. Zadran G. Naib
  • 13.1
  • 13.2
  • 4 B 3.3
  • 43.4
  • 13.5
  • 03.6
3 OV
13 Runs
A. Mathews to I. Zadran R. Gurbaz G. Naib
  • 12.1
  • 22.2
  • 62.3
  • 42.4
  • W 2.5
  • 02.6
2 OV
9 Runs
B. Fernando to I. Zadran
  • 01.1
  • 41.2
  • 01.3
  • 41.4
  • 01.5
  • 11.6
1 OV
3 Runs
A. Mathews to I. Zadran R. Gurbaz
  • 00.1
  • 00.2
  • 10.3
  • 00.4
  • 10.5
  • 10.6
Match Info
  • Venue Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Rangiri
  • Weather Clear
  • Toss Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field
  • Result Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 4 runs
  • Player of the Match Matheesha Pathirana
  • Umpire Prageeth Rambukwella (SL), Raveendra Wimalasiri (SL) and Lyndon Hannibal (SL)
  • Referee Chris Broad (ENG)
Match Notes
  • Innings Break: Sri Lanka 160/10 in 19.0 overs
  • Sri Lanka 152/7: A Mathews lbw b K Janat 6(6)
  • Referral 2 (7.2 ovs): AFG against A Mathews (LBW) Successful (SL: 2, AFG: 2)
  • Sri Lanka 151/6 in 16.1 overs
  • W Hasaranga 2nd T-20I fifty: 53 runs in 24 balls (6x4) (2x6)
  • 5th wkt Partnership: 50 off 34 balls between S Samarawickrama (17) and W Hasaranga (33)
  • Sri Lanka 100/4 in 11.5 overs
  • Sri Lanka 55/4: C Asalanka c R Gurbaz b N Ahmad 3(7)
  • Referral 1 (7.2 ovs): AFG against C Asalanka (Caught) Successful (SL: 2, AFG: 2)
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): Sri Lanka 51/3
  • Sri Lanka 50/2 in 5.5 overs
  • Afghanistan 150/8 in 18.5 overs
  • Referral 3 (16.4 ovs): SL against Q Ahmad (Caught) Unsuccessful (SL: 1, AFG: 1)
  • Afghanistan 125/6: K Janat lbw b M Pathirana Janat 10(16)
  • Referral 2 (16.1 ovs): K Janat against SL (LBW) Unsuccessful (SL: 2, AFG: 1)
  • Referral 1 (15.3 ovs): I Zadran against SL (LBW) Successful (SL: 2, AFG: 2)
  • I Zadran 5th T-20I fifty: 50 runs in 39 balls (6x4) (0x6)
  • Afghanistan 100/5 in 13.3 overs
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): Afghanistan 57/1
  • Afghanistan 52/1 in 5.0 overs
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Match Poll

Who will win the Match

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Worm
Player Runs Avg.
Wanindu Hasaranga SL 89 44.50
Ibrahim Zadran AFG 77 77.00
Sadeera Samarawickrama SL 76 38.00
Angelo Mathews SL 48 48.00
Karim Janat AFG 48 24.00
Player Wickets Eco.
Matheesha Pathirana SL 6 6.57
Fazalhaq Farooqi AFG 4 7.00
Azmatullah Omarzai AFG 4 8.75
Wanindu Hasaranga SL 3 4.87
Angelo Mathews SL 3 6.25
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