SL vs AFG scorecard, 2nd ODI highlights: Sri Lanka earn victory as Afghanistan suffer disastrous collapse in Pallekele

After a convincing win in the first ODI match against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka continued their form and won the second match of the series by 155 runs. Sri Lankan batsman Charith Asalanka was adjudged with the Player of the Match award and played an unbeaten innings of 97 runs. The Lankan Lions have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Batting first in Kandy, opener Pathum Nissanka was removed early for 18 runs and wasn’t able to repeat his previous match performance. Avishka Fernando also was not able to do much and walked back after scoring 5 runs. After losing 2 wickets for 36 runs, skipper Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama put up 103 runs from 113 balls for the 3rd wicket.

Sri Lanka outplay Afghanistan to win second ODI

Charith Asalanka leads the way with an unbeaten 97. 🔥🔥🔥 #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/O47nUTaYrG

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 11, 2024

Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama scored half-centuries and contributed necessary runs to Sri Lanka’s score. Mendis scored 61 runs off 65 balls whereas Samarawickrama got out for 52 runs from 61 balls. Soon after the departure of both the batsmen, Junith Liyanage and Charith Asalanka added 111 runs from 98 balls for the 5th wicket and helped Sri Lanka achieve a decent first-inning score of 308/6 in 50 overs. Liyanage scored 50 runs from 48 balls whereas Wanindu Hasaranga got out after scoring 14 runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai picked up 3 wickets with the ball for Afghanistan. Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad and Qais Ahmad picked up 1 wicket each.

Chasing down the target, Afghanistan were off to a decent start as openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran added 31 runs for the 1st wicket. Gurbaz departed for 8 runs and didn’t do much. Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran put up 97 runs for the second wicket and gave much-needed momentum to their team. Shah scored 63 runs from 69 balls whereas Zadran got out for 54 runs from 76 balls.

However, soon after the departure of both the batsmen none of the other Afghani batsmen were able to stay at the crease for long and were dismissed cheaply. No other batsman was able to cross the 10-run mark and were out in single digits. Afghanistan were wrapped up for 153 runs and ended up being on the losing end.

Wanindu Hasaranga picked up 4 wickets with the ball whereas, Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando picked up 2 wickets each. Pramod Madushan picked up 1 wicket with the ball.

Sri Lanka have dominated in the ongoing series against Afghanistan. The hosts were able to post a mammoth score of 381 runs in the first game wherein Pathum Nissanka ended up scoring a record-breaking double hundred. Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai tried their best to help Afghanistan cross the line but in the end, the visitors once again ended up being on the losing end.

The last few months have been very tough for Sri Lanka as they had a disappointing campaign during the ODI World Cup 2023. Sri Lanka finished in the ninth spot and were also not able to make it to the Champions Trophy 2025. However, with the 2-0 ODI series win against Zimbabwe and now Afghanistan will certainly boost the confidence of the Lankan Lions.

A dramatic turnaround in Kandy as Afghanistan lost 9/25 to go from 128/1 to 153/10 and fell short of the target by 155 runs. #AfghanAtalan | #SLvAFG2024 pic.twitter.com/7Hr6kZ868U

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 11, 2024

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka: 308/7 (Charith Asalanka: 97*, Azmatullah Omarzai: 3/56)

Afghanistan: 153/10 (Rahmat Shah: 63, Wanindu Hasaranga: 4/27)