Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by ten wickets

2024.02.05

Prabath Jayasuriya guides Sri Lanka to remarkable 10-wicket win over Afghanistan in the one-off Test

On Day 4 of the one-off Test match played in Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club on Monday, Sri Lanka showed off their cricketing skill by defeating Afghanistan by a commanding 10-wicket margin. Prabath Jayasuriya’s outstanding effort, which included a stunning five-wicket haul in the second innings, was a major factor in the victory. Sri Lanka demonstrated their supremacy on the field as they skillfully chased down the 56 runs goal before tea on the fourth day, after the Afghan team was bowled for 296.

Afghanistan struggled to reach a competitive total earlier in the first innings and ended up with just 198 runs. Rahmat Shah showed tenacity by scoring a career-high 91 runs, but it was unable to halt the formidable Sri Lankan bowling attack, led by Vishwa Fernando with four wickets. Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya also contributed significantly with three wickets apiece.

With a dominant reply, Sri Lanka scored 439 runs to take a commanding lead. With a brilliant 141, Angelo Mathews was instrumental, supported by the fluid 107 of Dinesh Chandimal and a strong 77 from opener Dimuth Karunaratne. The depth and variety of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup were evident despite Naveed Zadran’s four-wicket haul for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s batting, spearheaded by Rahmat’s fast 54 and Ibrahim Zadran’s tenacious 114, showed resolve in their second innings despite a daunting 241-run lead. But then things took a turn for the better as Jayasuriya led the bowling assault of Sri Lanka in an incredible comeback.

With a five-wicket haul, Jayasuriya’s outstanding bowling display was crucial in slowing Afghanistan’s progress. The foreigners got off to a good start at 217/2, but Jayasuriya and his bowling colleagues maintained constant pressure, and they eventually gave up. After showing signs of resiliency, the Afghan innings ended at 296.

With a day to spare, Sri Lanka’s openers achieved a decisive ten-wicket victory by effectively reaching the 56-run target in less than 10 overs. The match was a monument to Sri Lanka’s cricketing ability, as they won handily on home ground by fusing outstanding individual efforts with unwavering teamwork. Jayasuriya’s outstanding bowling earned him the title of Player of the Match.

Match Summery

Sri Lanka 439 (Mathews 141, Chandimal 107, Naveed 4-83) and 56 for 0 (Karunaratne 32*, Madushka 22*) beat

Afghanistan 198 (Rahmat 91, Vishwa 4-51, Asitha 3-24) and 296 (Ibrahim 114, Jayasuriya 5-107, Asitha 3-63) by ten wickets

@charith