Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan in the one-off test at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo by 10 wickets on Monday (February 5). The most successful batters for Sri Lanka were Angelo Mathews (141 runs) and Dinesh Chandimal (107 runs) in their first innings. Both players stitched a partnership worth 232 runs off 381 deliveries for the fourth wicket that allowed Sri Lanka to post a formidable 439 in the first innings, allowing them to take a lead of 241 runs as they had dismissed the Afghans for 198 in the first innings.
Ibrahim Zadran, who scored 114 runs in the second innings, did put up a fight for Afghanistan as they ended up posting a much-improved 296 in the second innings. However, it wasn't for them to challenge Sri Lanka. Prabhat Jayasuriya was the wrecker-in-chief for the hosts and scalped five wickets in the second innings, including that of Zadran. Rahmat Shah was the other positive for the visiting team who registered significant scores in both the innings. While he made 91 off 139 in the first innings, he scored 54 off 119 in the second.
Naveen Zadran Impresses With Ball For Afghanistan In SL vs AFG Test
As far as the touring contingent's bowling is concerned, Naveen Zadran took 4 wickets in his debut match and also got rid of the man-in-form Chandimal. On the other hand, Dhananjaya De Silva became the 8th Sri Lankan test captain to win a match on his debut. Jayasuriya was adjudged the Player of the Match as the slow left-arm orthodox took a total of 8 wickets in the fixture (3 in the 1st innings and 5 in the second innings).
After the conclusion of the solitary Test, the teams will now square off in a three-match ODI series which will be followed by a three T20Is. While the ODIs will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the shortest format will be staged in Dambulla. The first of the white-ball contests is slated to be played on February 9.