sukhmani singhAfghanistan Stun Sri Lanka:
The concluding T20I between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka on February 21st, 2024, transcended a mere series finale, morphing into a thrilling spectacle pulsating with fluctuating emotions and culminating in a heart-stopping finish. While Sri Lanka secured the series victory 2-1, Afghanistan salvaged a narrow 3-run triumph in the final encounter, salvaging some pride and concluding the tour on a positive note(Afghanistan Stun Sri Lanka).
Gurbaz’s Pyrotechnics Lay Platform, Zadran Brothers Bolster Total (Afghanistan Stun Sri Lanka):
Electing to bat first, Afghanistan received an explosive start courtesy of the talismanic Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The swashbuckling opener unleashed a torrent of boundaries, crafting a scintillating 70 runs off just 42 deliveries. His innings, studded with seven fours and four sixes, provided the bedrock for a competitive total, laying the foundation for his teammates to capitalize upon.
Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah Zadran complemented Gurbaz’s pyrotechnics with valuable contributions of 30 and 40 runs, respectively. Their composed knocks ensured Afghanistan posted a respectable 209/5 on the scoreboard. While the Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly Wanindu Hasaranga and Lahiru Kumara, claimed wickets at regular intervals, Gurbaz’s early onslaught proved pivotal in the end.
Afghanistan Batting:
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Wicket Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 70 | 42 | 7 | 4 | c Bhanuka Raja b Binura Fernando |
| Najibullah Zadran | 40 | 28 | 5 | 1 | c Dhananjaya de Silva b Chamika Karunaratne |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 30 | 21 | 2 | 2 | c Niroshan Dickwella b Dushmantha Chameera |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 22 | 15 | 2 | 1 | c Binura Fernando b Lahiru Kumara |
| Darwish Rasooli | 14 | 8 | 1 | 1 | c Ashen Bandara b Lahiru Kumara |
| Other Batsmen | 33 | 34 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 209/5 | 20.0 Overs | 20 | 9 |
Sri Lanka Bowling:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4.0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 |
| Lahiru Kumara | 4.0 | 0 | 33 | 2 | 8.25 |
| Chamika Karunaratne | 4.0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
| Binura Fernando | 4.0 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 9.25 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4.0 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 11.00 |
Sri Lanka Batting:
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Wicket Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 59 | 42 | 5 | 2 | c Rashid Khan b Karim Janat |
| Kusal Mendis | 32 | 26 | 4 | 0 | c Karim Janat b Fazlhak Farooqi |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 18 | 17 | 1 | 1 | c Najibullah Zadran b Naveen-ul-Haq |
| Niroshan Dickwella | 13 | 9 | 1 | 1 | lbw b Rashid Khan |
| Ashen Bandara | 12 | 9 | 1 | 1 | b Fazlhak Farooqi |
| Kamindu Mendis | 54* | 32 | 4 | 2 | not out |
| Binura Fernando | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | c Najibullah Zadran b Karim Janat |
| Chamika Karunaratne | 8 | 5 | 0 | 1 | c Darwish Rasooli b Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| Lahiru Kumara | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | run out (Ibrahim Zadran) |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | not out |
| Total | 206/8 | 20.0 Overs | 19 | 8 |
Afghanistan Bowling:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazlhak Farooqi | 4.0 | 0 | 35 | 2 | 8.75 |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | 4.0 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 9.75 |
| Rashid Khan | 4.0 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 8.25 |
| Karim Janat | 4.0 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 7.75 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4.0 | 0 | 42 | 2 | 10.50 |
Nissanka and Mendis Take Charge, Kamindu Mendis Almost Steals the Show(Afghanistan Stun Sri Lanka):
Chasing a challenging target, Sri Lanka’s hopes rested on a solid start, and their openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis delivered precisely that. The duo constructed a confident opening partnership, laying a strong foundation for the chase. Nissanka, in particular, impressed with a well-compiled 59 runs, while Mendis contributed a brisk 32.
Just as Sri Lanka seemed poised for victory, the middle order faltered, succumbing to wickets falling in quick succession. This placed immense pressure on the lower order, but hope reignited thanks to the heroics of Kamindu Mendis. The right-hander played a remarkable innings, smashing a valiant 54* off just 32 deliveries, almost single-handedly leading his team towards the finish line.
Janat Holds Nerve, Secures Thrilling Victory for Afghanistan:
With tension soaring and the match hanging precariously in the balance, the final over became a nerve-wracking affair. Sri Lanka needed 12 runs to win, with Kamindu Mendis and Binura Fernando at the crease. Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi entrusted the responsibility to Karim Janat, a young pacer known for his composure under pressure.
Janat didn’t disappoint. He bowled with great control and accuracy, making scoring boundaries difficult for the batsmen. He even dismissed Fernando with a crucial wicket, leaving Sri Lanka requiring 9 runs off the last 3 balls. The tension was palpable, but Janat held his nerve, conceding only 6 runs, securing a thrilling victory for Afghanistan by a mere 3 runs.
Fitting Conclusion to a Competitive Series:
The final T20I proved to be a fitting conclusion to an engrossing series that showcased exciting cricket throughout. While Sri Lanka ultimately emerged victorious, Afghanistan put up a spirited fight, demonstrating their potential and ability to compete against strong opposition.
For Afghanistan, the win served as a morale booster after losing the first two matches. Gurbaz’s powerful knock and Janat’s composed bowling performance were major highlights, providing their fans with something to cheer about. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will need to address their middle-order woes and bowling consistency if they want to be successful in upcoming tournaments.
This match served as a reminder that T20 cricket is a game of inches, where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. It was a thrilling encounter that kept everyone on the edge of their seats, leaving both sets of fans with mixed emotions. As both teams move forward, they can take valuable lessons from this series and build on their strengths for future challenges.
Jasveer Singh
