0 Comments
Series: Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka (2023–24)
Match Date: February 9, 2024
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Toss: Afghanistan elected to field
Result: Sri Lanka won by 42 runs
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (210* & 2 catches)
Match Summary
In a record-breaking first ODI, Sri Lanka posted a massive total of 381/3, thanks to an unbeaten double-century from Pathum Nissanka. Despite a valiant response from Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi (136) and Azmatullah Omarzai (149*), Sri Lanka secured a 42-run win.
Sri Lanka Innings – 381/3 (50 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Pathum Nissanka* | 210* | 139 | 20 | 8 |
| Avishka Fernando | 88 | 88 | 8 | 3 |
| Kusal Mendis (c & wk) | 16 | 31 | 1 | 0 |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | 45 | 36 | 4 | 1 |
| Charith Asalanka | 7* | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 15 |
Highlights:
- Nissanka smashed his maiden ODI double-century, pacing the innings from 0–50 runs in just 7.2 overs to 381 in 50 overs.
- Avishka Fernando also shone, scoring a fluent 88 to complement the partnership.
Afghanistan Innings – 339/6 (50 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Azmatullah Omarzai* | 149* | 115 | 13 | 6 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 136 | 130 | 15 | 3 |
| Others | – | – | – | – |
Bowling Standouts for SL:
- Pramod Madushan: 4 wickets for 75 runs.
- Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka chipped in to break key partnerships.
Despite two innings of 100+ from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka’s bowlers held firm, using crucial breakthroughs to edge ahead.
Key Performances & Records
- Pathum Nissanka’s 210*: Becomes the fastest Sri Lankan to 2,000 ODI runs (in just 52 innings).
- Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai both recorded ODI centuries in a losing cause—a rare feat in the format.
- Match saw two double-centuries in one innings—a unique occurrence in ODI history.
Match Flow Highlights
- Sri Lanka blasted out 50 runs in the powerplay, with aggressive starts from both openers .
- Nissanka and Fernando’s stand was the backbone of Sri Lanka’s total, neutralizing the Afghan challenge early .
- Afghanistan’s counterattack—especially Nabi and Omarzai—threatened the chase but fell just short as breakthroughs in the middle order tilted the balance.
What This Means
- Sri Lanka takes a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series .
- The depth in Sri Lanka’s batting is evident, with multiple players contributing heavily.
- Afghanistan showcased resilience, but SL’s superior pressure management made the difference.
Context: Series Overview
The Afghanistan tour (one Test, three ODIs, three T20Is) marked a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. Sri Lanka won the Test, now lead the ODI series 1–0, and head into the T20s with momentum on their side.
Only Test Match – Jan 2024, Colombo
Result: Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets
Venue: SSC Ground, Colombo
Top Performer: Angelo Mathews – 114 in 1st innings
Player of the Match: Prabath Jayasuriya (8 wickets match haul)
Sri Lanka dominated with both bat and ball, setting the tone for the rest of the series.
1st ODI – Feb 9, 2024, Pallekele
Sri Lanka won by 42 runs
- Pathum Nissanka: 210 (139)* – maiden double century
- Avishka Fernando: 88 (88)
- Afghanistan chase led by Omarzai (149*) and Nabi (136)
- SL: 381/3 | AFG: 339/6
Full Scorecard + Highlights
2nd ODI – Feb 11, 2024, Pallekele
Coming Soon
We’ll update this section with live scorecard, batting stats, and post-match breakdown.
Bookmark this page for match stats and series progress.
3rd ODI – Feb 14, 2024, Dambulla
Coming Soon
- Will Afghanistan bounce back and level the series?
- Can Nissanka continue his red-hot form?
Stay tuned for live updates, scorecard, and key moments.
T20I Series Preview (Starts Feb 17, 2024)
- 3 T20Is scheduled across Colombo and Dambulla
- Key players to watch:
- Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen-ul-Haq
These games will shape Afghanistan’s momentum heading into the 2024 T20 World Cup qualifiers.
Series Summary (So Far)
| Format | Matches | SL Wins | AFG Wins | Notes |
| Test | 1 | 1 | 0 | SL dominates 10-wicket win |
| ODI | 1/3 | 1 | 0 | Nissanka’s 210* steals show |
| T20I | 0/3 | – | – | Starts Feb 17 |
Match Highlights & Clips
Watch official highlights on:
- Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube
- tv
- Cricbuzz
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube Shorts for daily clips.
Final Thoughts
This series is turning into a thriller! With fireworks from both batting units and spinners ruling the middle overs, fans are in for an exciting ride. Whether it’s Nissanka’s class or Nabi’s grit, Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan has all the makings of a fierce rivalry.