Afghanistan cricketer Mohammad Saleem has been ruled out of the only Test match against Sri Lanka. Saleem sustained a hamstring injury while fielding on Day 2 of the match and walked off the field.
Saleem has been ruled out of the action for more than four weeks. The Afghanistan Cricket Board shared a post for the same on their official ‘X’ handle. Afghanistan finished off the Day 3 of the match at 199/1 in their second innings.
The tweet read, “Fast-bowler Mohammad Saleem sustained a grade 2 left hamstring strain on Day 2 of the #SLvAFG, which rules him out of the ongoing test match and at least for the next four weeks. Wish you a swift recovery, Saleem!”
Mohammad Saleem ruled out of the only Test against Sri Lanka
🚨 INJURY ALERT 🚨
Fast-bowler Mohammad Saleem sustained a grade 2 left hamstring strain on Day 2 of the #SLvAFG, which rules him out of the ongoing test match and at least for the next four weeks.
Wish you a swift recovery, Saleem! 🤲#AfghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/FWsxARsNIO
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 4, 2024
Mohammad Saleem bowled a total of 12.1 overs in the first innings was not able to pick up any wicket and gave away 57 runs at an economy rate of 4.68.
The Afghanistan cricket team brought back the momentum of the match towards themselves and showcased a brilliant performance on Day 3. After batting from their overnight score of 420/6, Sri Lanka lost their final four wickets in 19 runs, finishing at 439 all out. On Day 3, Sadeera Samarawickrama, a batsman and wicketkeeper, was the first Sri Lankan wicket to fall. After being removed by Naveed Zadran as Rahmat Shah caught him for 27 runs off of 33 balls.
The next batsman to be removed for two runs was Prabath Jayasuriya, while Vishwa Fernando was out for a duck. After being struck on the helmet by Naveed Zadran in the 107th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, Chamika Gunasekara was forced to retire hurt.
Afghanistan were behind 241 runs after the first innings, and a strong batting performance was required for the visitors to avoid losing the innings. After Noor Ali Zadran and Ibrahim Zadran combined 106 runs off 258 balls in the first innings, the Afghan team did not replicate their disastrous batting display. The Afghani team’s second innings began with great success. During their partnerships, both batsmen produced some good shots that maintained the momentum they had built earlier in the day.
Noor Ali Zadran hit five boundaries while at the crease, missed a half-century, and was dismissed for 47 runs off 136 balls. Asitha Fernando caught him in the face. Ibrahim Zadran hammered a stunning century and was undefeated on 101 runs off 217 balls, while Noor Ali was denied a century. By the end of Day 3, Rahmat Shah had also put on an outstanding batting display, remaining undefeated on 46 runs off 98 balls.
Afghanistan are now behind Sri Lanka by 42 runs in their second innings as Day 3 ended at 199/1 in 75 overs. Afghanistan will hope to carry on and provide an outstanding performance on Day 4.
The Afghani team were put on the back foot by Sri Lanka on the first two days of the match and it looked like the hosts would dominate the whole match. However, the match is currently evenly poised and can move either way.