Afghanistan, banking on batting heroics from Ibrahim Zadran (98), Rahmat Shah (55), Hashmatullah Shahidi (38) and Mohammad Nabi (27*), successfully chased down the 269-run target set by Sri Lanka to win by game by 6 wickets and take 1-0 lead in the Series.
Opting to field first, Afghanistan’s bowlers put up a commendable performance to restrict Sri Lanka to a total of 268 runs.
The bowlers exhibited their skills quite well, with Fareed Ahmad (2/43) and Fazal Haq Farooqi (2/58) leading the attack by taking two wickets each.
Mohammad Nabi (1/31), Azmatullah Omarzai (1/35), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1/45), and Noor Ahmad (1/54) also contributed with one wicket each, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faced constant pressure.
Chasing the target of 269 runs, Afghanistan showcased a strong batting performance, led by Ibrahim Zadran’s brilliant knock of 98 runs.
He was well-supported by Rahmat Shah, who scored a valuable 55 runs. This was his 23rd overall and 4th half-century against Sri Lanka.
The Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (38) also did well by contributing 38 runs to the team’s total.
Mohammad Nabi played a crucial unbeaten inning of 27 runs, steering Afghanistan toward victory as Afghanistan chased down the target by 6 wickets with 19 balls remaining.
Ibrahim Zadran, who had scored a valuable 98 runs in the match was awarded the best player of the match.
Afghanistan will meet the hosts again in the 2nd match of the three-match ODI series on Sunday.
