After dominating Day 1 of the only Test match against Afghanistan, the same storyline was repeated on Day 2 as Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal kept the Afghani bowlers running throughout the day.
Both the batsmen slammed brilliant centuries and ensured that Sri Lanka ended Day 2 of the match in a strong situation. Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne scored a quick-fire half-century and showcased a brilliant attacking approach with the bat.
Continuing to bat on Day 2, Sri Lanka lost their first wicket early on for 90 runs as Nishan Madushka was removed by Naveed Zadran for 37 runs from 53 balls. Kusal Mendis as well was not able to do much as departed after scoring 10 runs from 22 balls and fell against Nijat Masood. After the fall of two quick wickets, Dimuth Karunaratne brought up his half-century and played a captain’s knock.
Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal lead Sri Lanka’s dominance on Day 2
However, Dimuth Karunaratne’s stay at the crease was ended by Qais Ahmed, and was out for 77 runs from 72 balls. Karunaratne played an attacking knock and played with a strike rate of 106.94. Karunaratne had already added 33 runs from 48 balls for the third wicket along with Angelo Mathews.
Angelo Mathews does it again! The veteran Sri Lankan batsman notches up his 16th Test century! 👏👏👏#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/b4GrsCIqKI
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 3, 2024
After the fall of three continuous wickets, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal took charge for Sri Lanka and started to bring the team’s innings back on track. Mathews showed his brilliance once again and gave an example of why he is one of the legends of Sri Lankan cricket. Mathews brought up a brilliant century and brought up the three-figure mark off 184 balls. On the other hand, Dinesh Chandimal, who was making a return to the team followed in Mathews’ footsteps and slammed a brilliant century.
Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal showcased an example of brilliant batting and added 232 runs from 381 balls for the fourth wicket and became the major reason behind Sri Lanka’s dominance on Day 2 of the match. Chandimal was removed by 107 runs from 181 balls by Naveed Zadran. Chandimal smashed 10 fours and 1 six during his stay at the crease. Dhananjaya de Silva’s time at the crease lasted for 1 ball and was run out for a golden duck by Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Dinesh Chandimal rises to the occasion with a brilliant century! His 15th in Test cricket! 🔥 #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/Od1HOIE4XS
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 3, 2024
At last Angelo Mathews was dismissed by Qais Ahmed for 141 runs from 259 balls and played one of the most iconic innings. Mathews smashed a total of 14 fours and 3 sixes during his stay at the crease. At last Sri Lanka finished at 410/6 in 101.2 overs at the end of Day 2.
The Afghanistan bowlers were clueless throughout Day 2 of the only Test match and were hit all around the ground by the Sri Lankan batsmen. Qais Ahmad and Naveed Zadran picked up 2 wickets each whereas Nijat Masood picked up 1 wicket until the end of Day 2.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan 198 (Rahmat Shah: 91, Vishwa Fernando: 4/51)
Sri Lanka 410/6 (Angelo Mathews: 141, Naveed Zadran: 2/80)