Image Credit- AFP
With Pathum Nissanka’s remarkable double century, Sri
Lanka managed to hold off a determined onslaught from Afghanistan and win the
first One Day International (ODI) in Pallekele by 42 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in
the three-match series.
The second-highest sixth-wicket stand in ODI history,
a record 242 runs between Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, allowed
Afghanistan to get that close. Nabi struck 136 off 130 balls, while Omarazai
finished at 115 off 149, although Afghanistan lost but did so with pride.
They would be left wondering what could have been if
their top order had contributed more significantly, but many failed to find the
quick start they needed in order to chase down Sri Lanka’s massive 382-run
goal.
Afghanistan fell to 55 for 5 in the middle of the
ninth over, and they were looking down the barrel of a humiliating loss.
However, that was also the start of the comeback, as
Omarzai and Nabi decided early on to play as deep a game as they could.
The two knew they couldn’t take unnecessary chances
because there wasn’t much batting to follow, but they still identified
boundaries to make sure the run rate didn’t get out of control. Nevertheless,
their scoring pace didn’t surpass six an over until the 36th over, at which
time the necessary rate was approaching 12 an over.
The requirement at the 40th over was 137 off 60
deliveries, which was a lofty goal to meet given that Sri Lanka had already
scored 120 in the same amount of time.
Ultimately, the demand was excessive, particularly
considering Sri Lanka had several overs available from all of their top
bowlers.
It also served to contextualise the Lankans’ batting
effort, especially that of the brilliant Nissanka, who scored 210 off just 139
deliveries.
With a run-a-ball score of 88, Avishka Fernando was
the second highest scorer after he and Nissanka put on a 182-run opening
partnership, which was only the third century opening stand to reach double
figures in nine innings for Sri Lanka. But the suffering in Afghanistan didn’t
end there.
After winning the toss, the visitors, who had chosen
to field a potent seam attack of four, were left to lament their choice to bowl
first, as the circumstances were perfect for batting. Nissanka started the
first five innings quietly, scoring just 22 runs, but then he started to let
fly.
It was a knock worthy of winning any game, and so it
proved in the end.