The Sri Lankan bowlers found their form in the second ODI against Afghanistan as they won the match by 132 runs to square the three-match one-day series. This was also the Islanders' biggest win over their subcontinental neighbours and made amends for their disappointing performance in the first ODI on Friday, having lost by six wickets.
After Sri Lanka set their opponents a tough target of 324 runs, fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera struck first to dismiss the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz for two runs. Then, the other opening batter Ibrahim Zadran continued his good form, scoring 54 runs while skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi top-scored with 57 runs, but once they lost their top order, it was a big collapse from the Afghanistan batters.
From 146-2, Afghanistan collapsed to be bowled out for 191 runs in 42.1 overs, losing their last eight wickets for just 45 runs. leading from the front were spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva, who shared six wickets amongst themselves to seal a comprehensive win for the home side.
Earlier, Sri Lanka's batting performance would have done a lot to improve their confidence heading to the ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe later in June.
While Afghanistan have already qualified for the World Cup and despite the heavy defeat on Sunday, will feel positive with star Rashid Khan expected to feature in the final game on Wednesday. The leg-spinner was ruled out of the first two with a back injury.
Half-centuries by Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne helped Sri Lanka post its commanding total. While Mendis top scored with 78 runs off 75 balls with seven fours and one six, Karunaratne, who was recalled for this series to stabilize the batting, made 52 off 62 balls with seven fours.
Opener Pathum Nissanka contributed 43 runs while Sadeera Samarawickrama, featuring in an ODI for the first time since 2019, made 44 off 46 balls. There was some big hitting by the lower middle order with captain Dasun Shanaka chipping in with 23 runs while Wanindu Hasaranga finished things off in style with an unbeaten 29 off 12 balls with four fours and a six.
Dhananjaya de Silva was named Man of the Match for his unbeaten 29 and three wickets.
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