The second game of the T20I series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be played on today (February 19) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium with Sri Lanka leading the three-match series by a 1-0 margin.
The first T20I was a closely fought contest and the hosts managed to emerge victorious by four runs to get an early lead in the series. After being asked to bat first, the Lankan batters got starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga played an outstanding knock of 67 off just 32 balls to power his side to 160 before they got knocked over in 19 overs. It was a collective effort from the Afghan bowlers, with Fazalhaq Farooqi starring with figures of 3/25 in his four overs.
In reply, skipper Ibrahim Zadran opened the batting and held the innings nicely from one end. He lacked support from the other end as Afghanistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The game went down the wire.
With 11 required from the last over, Zadran tried hard but his knock of 67* went in vain as the Afghans fell short by four runs. Sri Lanka picked up nine wickets in total, with Matheesha Pathirana finishing with four to his name.
The bowlers stepped up for Sri Lanka to help them win the first T20I and go 1-0 up in the series. They will be high in confidence and will be looking to take an unassailable lead in the series on Monday. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will have bring out their A-game to keep the series alive.
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