Sri Lanka dominated the Day 1 of the only SL vs AFG Test match as bowling first they wrapped up Afghanistan for 198 runs. The bowling trio of Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, and Prabath Jayasuriya ripped through the Afghani batting lineup and shared 10 wickets between themselves. The Sri Lankan team finished Day 1 at 80/0 in 14 overs, and have made their command over the match very strong.
Batting first at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Afghanistan didn’t start off well as they lost opener Ibrahim Zadran for a duck with 0 runs on the board. Sri Lankan bowler Asitha Fernando caught Ibrahim in front and provided the early breakthrough for Sri Lanka. After the early blow, Noor Ali Zadran added 57 runs off 85 balls for the second wicket. The batsmen played some quality shots and helped the visitors recover from the early damage.
Sri Lankan bowlers dominate on Day 1 against Afghanistan
Afghanistan all out for 198! Vishwa Fernando with a fiery spell of 4 wickets, backed by Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya’s 3-wicket hauls each. #SLAFG pic.twitter.com/dpAL9si3aJ
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 2, 2024
Vishwa Fernando dismissed Noor Ali Zadran for 31 runs from 46 balls. Zadran hit a total of 5 fours during his stay at the crease. After the departure of Zadran, Rahmat Shah stuck at one end and held it strongly. He further put up a stand of 52 runs from 107 balls for the 3rd wicket with Hashmatullah Shahidi. Afghanistan finished 90/2 after 25 overs at Lunch on Day 1. Shahidi’s time at the crease lasted for 46 balls and was removed by Vishwa Fernando for 17 runs.
The wickets continued to tumble and new batsman Nasir Jamal walked back without troubling the scorers and was knocked over by Prabath Jayasuriya. Rahmat Shah played some brilliant shots and showed brilliant temperament during his time at the crease. However, Shah had to walk back to the dressing room for 91 runs off 139 balls. He smashed 13 fours during his innings. Afghanistan had scored 165/5 at Tea on Day 1 in Colombo.
The Sri Lankan bowlers were in total command against the visitors as the wickets kept on tumbling for Afghanistan. Ikram Alikhil and Qais Ahmed departed after scoring 21 runs each. Vishwa Fernando picked up his third wicket by dismissing Khil whereas Ahmad fell to Prabath Jayasuriya. Zia-ur-Rahman was also not able to do much and became the fourth victim of Vishwa Fernando in the first innings.
Afghanistan all out for 198! Vishwa Fernando with a fiery spell of 4 wickets, backed by Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya’s 3-wicket hauls each. #SLAFG pic.twitter.com/dpAL9si3aJ
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 2, 2024
Nijar Masood and Mohammad Saleem were also not able to do much and fell for 12 and 0 runs respectively. The Afghani team was wrapped up for 198 runs, with Sri Lankan pacer Vishwa Fernando being the pick of the bowlers with a four-wicket haul, Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya picked up 3 wickets apiece.
While batting against Afghanistan’s first innings score, the hosts continued their dominance with the bat as well. Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka showcased some explosive batting display and were unbeaten on 42 and 36 runs respectively.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan 198 (Rahmat Shah: 91, Vishwa Fernando: 4/51)
Sri Lanka 80/0 (Dimuth Karunaratne: 46, Nijat Masood: 0/18)