Sri Lanka’s Binura Fernando (R) celebrates with Kusal Mendis (L) after taking the wicket of Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib through the second Twenty20 worldwide cricket match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla on February 19, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Some dramatic batting by Angelo Mathews enabled Sri Lanka to put up a aggressive 187 for six within the second T20 towards Afghanistan at Dambulla on Monday.
The former captain was uncertain for the sport within the afternoon complaining about tightness in his hamstring, and had to endure a health check.
But the all-rounder smashed 4 sixes together with three in a row within the penultimate over bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai.
He additionally hit two boundaries, ending unbeaten on 42 off 22 balls.
Mathews shared a 66-run stand for the sixth wicket off 34 deliveries with Sadeera Samarawickrama, as Sri Lanka greater than doubled their complete within the final 10 overs, after being 87 for three on the midway mark.
Samarawickrama went on to put up a maiden half-century and completed on 51, his profession greatest rating in a T20 worldwide.
The openers supplied begin for Sri Lanka including 45 runs in 23 balls. The third over of the innings bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq went for 17 runs, together with 4 boundaries.
The six overs of powerplay produced 55 runs.
Afghanistan had been sloppy on the sphere dropping two catches.
Mohammad Nabi claimed two wickets for 25, whereas Azmatullah Omarzai additionally picked up two wickets however went for 40 runs.
Sri Lanka gained the primary of the three-match T20 collection by 4 runs.
The hosts additionally gained the one-off Test match towards Afghanistan and the one-day worldwide collection in a 3-0 clear sweep.
