Rahmat Shah’s resilience anchors Afghanistan
In the match, Sri Lanka’s captain Dhananjaya de Silva emerged victorious in the toss and elected to bowl first. Opting to put Afghanistan into bat on a green surface, Sri Lanka successfully dismissed the Afghan openers. However, Rahmat emerged as the linchpin of Afghanistan’s resistance, orchestrating a crucial 57-run partnership for the second wicket alongside debutant Noor Ali Zadran. Rahmat continued to anchor the innings, contributing 33 runs in a partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, guiding Afghanistan to a score of 90 for 2 at the lunch break.
Sri Lanka tightens grip with remarkable bowling
After the lunch break, Shahidi was the first to depart when he attempted to cut a wide delivery from Vishwa Fernando, only to be caught behind. In the subsequent over, Prabath Jayasuriya clean bowled Nasir Jamal for a duck. The most significant setback for Afghanistan came in the form of Rahmat , who was outfoxed by the brilliance of Sadeera Samarawickrama behind the stumps. Rahmat fell just nine runs short of a century, scoring a valiant 91 runs, including 13 boundaries. At tea, Afghanistan reached a total of 168/5.
Also WATCH: Sadeera Samarawickrama outsmarts Rahmat Shah with a phenomenal catch behind the stumps on Day 1 of One-off Test – SL vs AFG 2024
Afghanistan’s innings collapse in the third session
After tea, Afghanistan’s lower order crumbled, losing the last five wickets for 29 runs, culminating in their team being bowled out for 198 inside 63 overs. Vishwa played a crucial role in this phase, initiating an intense spell. He first dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil, caught by a diving Nishan Madushka at gully. Shortly after, Vishwa pinned debutant all-rounder Zia-ur-Rehman in front. Qais Ahmad attempted a sweep against Jayasuriya and was adjudged lbw, with an unsuccessful review before walking off.
Asitha Fernando then accounted for final two wickets out of three. He took a simple return chance off Nijat Masood before delivering a yorker into debutant Mohammad Saleem‘s off stump two balls later. Asitha finished with figures of 3/24, a fitting reward for his excellent early spells. Vishwa picked 4 for 51, and Jayasuriya contributed with 3/67.
Sri Lanka’s strong start with the bat
Sri Lanka, in their reply, finished the day without losing any wickets, amassing 80 runs in fourteen overs. Both openers, Nishan Madushanka (36 not out) and former captain Dimuth Karunaratne (42 not out), displayed a blend of resilience and aggression, scoring six boundaries each so far. On the other hand, Afghan bowlers failed to capitalize on the new red cherry.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Sadeera Samarawickrama's catch is the best wicket keeper catch I've seen of all time, what reflexes! #SLvAFG
— Angelo(@Ang31ooo) February 2, 2024
Great joy Watching Mr. Dependable @RahmatShah_08 in action.
A fluent half century to kick off the Test Match.
Cricket Classics#SLvAFG #AFGvSL @ACBofficials @OfficialSLC @ArianaNews_ pic.twitter.com/aISxkj8bH5
— Devender Kumar (@asdevender_bbc) February 2, 2024
Solid and steady batsman Rahmat Shah has gone with only 9 runs short of his 2nd hundred. Outstanding play for him today
— Nasir Shinwari (@NaseerShinwarai) February 2, 2024
SL test team and a new test opener besides Karunaratne is a better love story than Twilight
— N(@N09434002) February 2, 2024
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
Also READ: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, One-off Test: Date, Match Time, Venue, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details
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