The match unfolded at the picturesque Dambulla stadium, witnessed by a capacity crowd eager to witness the battle between two formidable cricketing nations.
The spotlight of the match fell upon Angelo Mathews, the seasoned all-rounder whose stellar performance proved to be the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s triumph.
As it happened: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I
Despite initial doubts surrounding his fitness due to hamstring tightness, Mathews emerged as the hero of the day, unleashing a whirlwind knock of 42 off a mere 22 balls. His innings was a spectacle of power-hitting, punctuated by four towering sixes and two exquisite boundaries.
“Whatever the team wants me to do, I am willing to adapt myself according to the situation,” remarked Mathews, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the team’s cause.
The partnership between Mathews and Sadeera Samarawickrama provided the much-needed impetus to Sri Lanka’s innings, with Samarawickrama contributing a resilient 51 off 42 deliveries, marking his career-best score in T20 cricket.
Captain Wanindu Hasaranga lauded the duo’s performance, acknowledging their pivotal role in steering Sri Lanka to a formidable total of 187 for six in their allotted 20 overs.
“Credit goes to the batters. They batted really well,” remarked Hasaranga, emphasizing the team’s collective effort in posting a challenging target.
In pursuit of Sri Lanka’s imposing total, Afghanistan’s batting faltered under the relentless onslaught of Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Mathews, doubling up as a potent bowler, struck early blows by dismissing Afghanistan’s openers in his first two overs, setting the tone for a dominant bowling display.
“It is all about the mind,” conceded Afghanistan’s skipper Ibrahim Zadran, highlighting the importance of executing plans effectively in high-stakes encounters.
Despite a valiant effort from Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat, Afghanistan faltered and were eventually bundled out for 115 in 17 overs, succumbing to Sri Lanka’s superior skill and determination.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s milestone moment added to Sri Lanka’s jubilation, as he claimed his 100th wicket in T20 internationals, joining the elite ranks of bowlers who have achieved this feat.
With this resounding victory, Sri Lanka affirmed their dominance across all formats in the series, having previously secured wins in the one-off Test and the ODI series.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan find themselves in search of their maiden win on the tour, as they gear up for the third T20 match with renewed resolve and determination.
(With inputs from AFP)
