One-off Test, Colombo, February 02, 2024, 10:00 AM
Afghanistan
198/10(62.4ov) & 296/10(112.3ov)
Sri Lanka
439/10(109.2ov) & 56/0(7.2ov)
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
That is it from this game! Dhananjaya de Silva has been handed the trophy and now he celebrated with his side. We hope you enjoyed our company. Until next time, goodbye and take care!
Dhananjaya de Silva says it was a good experience captaining the side and he enjoyed it. Mentions he is happy with the bowlers, they stuck to their plans and built pressure. Adds there was grass on the wicket and they knew it won't turn much and hence, they played more fast bowlers. On his run out, he says it was his fault.
Hashmatullah Shahidi says the boys played well but he is disappointed with how they performed on Day 1 but fought well on Day 3. Adds the lack of experience showed and they will learn from this and he hopes to do better going ahead. Ends by saying, they do not have a lot opportunities with the red ball and he hopes they can get it and he hopes they can do well.
Prabath Jayasuriya, MAN OF THE MATCH! He says he is very happy, it was tough to take wickets as it is a good batting track here. Adds they were trying to follow the basics and he is very pleased it worked.
... PRESENTATION TIME ...
In reply, Lanka feasted on the very good batting conditions! They managed to take a lead of over 200 courtesy Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal. Both scored tons and we felt then, the Lankans were going to win by an innings but that was no the case. The Afghainstan top order showed great fight on Day 3. Ibrahim Zadran scored an exellent ton and was well-supported by Rahmat Shah and Noor Ali Zadran. However, the effort with the bat was equally poor on Day 4 as the lower and the middle order failed to show some fight and Lanka just needed over 50 to chase which they did in no time.
A dominating win for the hosts! Right from Day 1, they have bossed this game. The Lankans elected to field and bowled Afghanistan out for a very low score. Three bowlers shared 10 wickets between them, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya! For Afghanistan, only Rahmat Shah put up a fight with the bat. He was unlucky to miss out on a ton but courtesy his effort they did not end up being bowled out for an embarassing score.
In over# 8
4
4
Qais Ahmad 8/0(0.2)
7.2
4
FOUR! Dimuth Karunaratne finishes it off in style! On middle, the sweep comes out, it is hit through square leg and it races away to the fence. SRI LANKA WIN BY 10 WICKETS!
7.1
4
FOUR! Another one of those and the game will be done. On middle, this is worked down to long on for a boundary.
In over# 7
0
1lb
0
1
3
1
Nijat Masood 5/0(1)
6.6
.
Around off, defended.
6.5
1lb
On the pads Dimuth Karunaratne looks to flick but misses, it hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.
6.4
.
Around off, Dimuth Karunaratne looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. A late review taken by Afghanistan and not sure why! There was a massive inside edge.
6.3
1
On the pads, this is nudged around the corner for one.
6.2
3
Three! On the pads, this is worked through square leg. Three taken.
6.1
1
On middle, this is nudged on the leg side for one.
In over# 6
6
0
2
0
1nb
0
4
Naveed Zadran 30/0(3)
5.6
6
SIX! Gets hold of this one. Short and on middle, Dimuth Karunaratne rocks back and pulls it well over the square leg fence for a biggie.