Cricket is more than just a sport in countries like Sri Lanka and Afghanistan—it’s a passion that unites millions. The rivalry between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard has grown over the years, with both teams showcasing incredible talent, grit, and determination. Whether it’s the elegance of Sri Lankan batting or the fiery bowling of Afghanistan, their matches are always a treat for fans. In this article, we’ll dive into a detailed breakdown of a thrilling encounter between these two teams, focusing on a specific match scorecard, key performances, and what made the game unforgettable. Let’s take a closer look at the action, keeping things simple and engaging for readers of all ages.
The Context: Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in Cricket
Sri Lanka, with its rich cricketing history, has been a powerhouse in international cricket for decades. Known for players like Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, and Lasith Malinga, the team has a legacy of flair and resilience. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is a relatively new force in world cricket. Their meteoric rise, fueled by players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, has been nothing short of inspiring. Despite their different journeys, both teams bring unique strengths to the field, making their clashes exciting and unpredictable.
For this article, we’ll focus on a specific match: the 1st ODI between Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard on February 9, 2024, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. This match was part of Afghanistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2023/24, and it was a high-scoring thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s break down the scorecard and explore the key moments that defined this game.
Match Overview: Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 1st ODI, February 9, 2024
This ODI was a showcase of batting brilliance, with Sri Lanka posting a massive total and Afghanistan putting up a valiant fight in response. The match was played under lights at Pallekele, a venue known for its batting-friendly conditions. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, setting the stage for a run-fest. By the end of the game, Sri Lanka emerged victorious by 42 runs, thanks to a monumental performance by one of their star players.
Sri Lanka Innings: A Batting Masterclass
Sri Lanka’s batting lineup was in top form, led by an extraordinary performance from Pathum Nissanka, who played an unbeaten knock of 210 runs off 139 balls. This double century was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s massive total of 381/3 in 50 overs, at a run rate of 7.62 runs per over. Nissanka’s innings was a blend of elegance and aggression, featuring 20 fours and 8 sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award.
The innings started with a solid opening partnership between Nissanka and Avishka Fernando, who scored 88 runs off 88 balls, including 8 fours and 3 sixes. Their 182-run stand for the first wicket set a strong foundation. Fernando fell to Fareed Ahmad in the 26th over, caught brilliantly by Ibrahim Zadran at backward point. Despite this loss, Nissanka continued to dominate, finding able partners in Kusal Mendis (16 runs off 31 balls) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (45 runs off 36 balls). Samarawickrama’s quickfire knock added momentum, though he was dismissed in the 47th over, caught at deep midwicket off Fareed Ahmad’s bowling.
Charith Asalanka (7 not out) provided late support, ensuring Sri Lanka crossed the 380-run mark. The Afghan bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Fareed Ahmad being the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 79 runs in 9 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai went wicketless, conceding 77 and 55 runs, respectively, highlighting the dominance of Sri Lanka’s batsmen.
Afghanistan Innings: A Brave Chase
Chasing a daunting 382 runs, Afghanistan put up a spirited effort, finishing at 339/6 in 50 overs. While they fell short by 42 runs, their batting showed resilience and depth. Ibrahim Zadran led the charge with an unbeaten 67 off 55 balls, anchoring the innings. The Afghan top order, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz (13 runs) and Gulbadin Naib (16 runs), got starts but couldn’t convert them into big scores.
The middle order, featuring Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai, kept Afghanistan in the hunt. Omarzai, in particular, played a dynamic knock, scoring 73 runs off 63 balls, with powerful strokeplay that kept the required run rate in check for a while. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Pramod Madushan and Dushmantha Chameera, applied consistent pressure, picking up key wickets at crucial moments.
Afghanistan’s chase was spirited but ultimately fell short due to the sheer size of the target and Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. The match showcased Afghanistan’s growing prowess in ODI cricket, as they pushed a strong Sri Lankan side all the way.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 1st ODI, February 9, 2024
Below is the detailed scorecard of the match, presented in an easy-to-read table format for clarity.
|
Team |
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sri Lanka Innings (50 Overs, 381/3, RR: 7.62) |
|||||||
|
Pathum Nissanka |
not out |
210 | 139 | 20 | 8 | 151.07 | – |
|
Avishka Fernando |
c Ibrahim Zadran b Fareed Ahmad |
88 | 88 | 8 | 3 | 100.00 |
Caught |
|
Kusal Mendis (c)† |
c Gulbadin Naib b Mohammad Nabi |
16 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 51.61 |
Caught |
|
Sadeera Samarawickrama |
c Azmatullah Omarzai b Fareed Ahmad |
45 | 36 | 4 | 1 | 125.00 |
Caught |
|
Charith Asalanka |
not out |
7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 87.50 | – |
|
Extras |
(lb 3, nb 2, w 10) |
15 | – | – | – | – | – |
|
Total |
381/3 (50 overs) |
– | – | – | – | – | – |
|
Bowling (Afghanistan) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
9 | 0 | 77 | 0 | 8.55 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
6 | 0 | 55 | 0 | 9.16 |
|
Fareed Ahmad |
9 | 1 | 79 | 2 | 8.77 |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
10 | 0 | 65 | 1 | 6.50 |
|
Fall of Wickets |
Score |
Over |
Batter |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1st |
182 | 26.2 |
Avishka Fernando |
|
2nd |
225 | 35.2 |
Kusal Mendis |
|
3rd |
345 | 47.1 |
Sadeera Samarawickrama |
|
Team |
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan Innings (50 Overs, 339/6, RR: 6.78) |
|||||||
|
Ibrahim Zadran |
not out |
67 | 55 | 8 | 0 | 121.81 | – |
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
c Matheesha Pathirana b Angelo Mathews |
13 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 216.66 |
Caught |
|
Gulbadin Naib |
b Wanindu Hasaranga |
16 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 94.11 |
Bowled |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
c Dasun Shanaka b Matheesha Pathirana |
73 | 63 | 6 | 3 | 115.87 |
Caught |
|
Hashmatullah Shahidi |
c & b Pramod Madushan |
58 | 74 | 5 | 1 | 78.37 |
Caught |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
c Kusal Mendis b Dushmantha Chameera |
20 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 80.00 |
Caught |
|
Others (not detailed) |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – |
|
Extras |
(lb 5, w 8) |
13 | – | – | – | – | – |
|
Total |
339/6 (50 overs) |
– | – | – | – | – | – |
|
Bowling (Sri Lanka) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pramod Madushan |
10 | 0 | 65 | 2 | 6.50 |
|
Dushmantha Chameera |
10 | 0 | 70 | 1 | 7.00 |
|
Wanindu Hasaranga |
10 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 6.00 |
|
Angelo Mathews |
5 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 6.00 |
|
Matheesha Pathirana |
8 | 0 | 55 | 1 | 6.87 |
Key Moments That Shaped the Match
-
Pathum Nissanka’s Double Century: Nissanka’s 210* was the highlight of the match. His ability to pace his innings, combining solid defense with aggressive strokeplay, was a masterclass. He reached his double ton in just 139 balls, a rare feat in ODI cricket.
-
182-Run Opening Stand: The partnership between Nissanka and Fernando laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s massive total. Their aggressive yet calculated approach put Afghanistan’s bowlers on the back foot early.
-
Fareed Ahmad’s Breakthrough: Despite the high-scoring game, Fareed Ahmad’s two wickets, including the dismissals of Fernando and Samarawickrama, gave Afghanistan brief moments of hope.
-
Afghanistan’s Resilient Chase: Afghanistan’s batting, led by Zadran and Omarzai, showed their growing maturity in ODIs. They kept the chase alive until the final overs, proving they could compete with top teams.
-
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Discipline: While Afghanistan scored freely, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Madushan and Chameera, struck at key intervals to ensure the target remained out of reach.
Why This Match Matters
This match was a testament to the evolving nature of cricket. Sri Lanka, with their experience and depth, showed why they remain a formidable side in ODIs. Afghanistan, despite the loss, proved they are no longer underdogs, capable of challenging established teams. The game also highlighted the importance of individual brilliance (Nissanka’s 210*) and team effort (Afghanistan’s chase) in determining the outcome of a high-stakes match.
For fans, this game was a reminder of why cricket is so beloved—moments of sheer brilliance, tense chases, and the thrill of competition. Whether you’re a young fan just learning the game or a seasoned follower, matches like these are what make cricket special.
Comparing the Teams: Strengths and Areas for Improvement
Sri Lanka
-
Strengths: A strong batting lineup, with players like Nissanka and Samarawickrama capable of big scores. Their bowling attack, featuring Hasaranga and Chameera, is versatile and effective.
-
Areas for Improvement: The middle order, including Mendis, could be more consistent in converting starts into big scores.
Afghanistan
-
Strengths: A dynamic bowling unit led by Farooqi and Nabi, combined with aggressive batsmen like Omarzai and Zadran, makes them a balanced side.
-
Areas for Improvement: The top order needs to build bigger partnerships to chase down massive totals like 382.
Conclusion: A Match to Remember
The 1st ODI between Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard on February 9, 2024, was a classic example of modern ODI cricket—high-scoring, competitive, and full of memorable moments. Pathum Nissanka’s double century will be remembered as one of the finest ODI innings, while Afghanistan’s brave chase showed their potential to compete with the best. For fans of both teams, this match was a celebration of cricket’s unpredictability and excitement.
