Sri Lanka down Afghanistan to level ODI series

KABUL (Pajhwok): Sri Lanka has bounced back to beat Afghanistan by 132 runs to square the three-match one-day series.

Set an imposing target of 324, Afghanistan began sluggishly, much of which was down to the tight lines and lengths of Chameera and Kasun Rajitha, according to ESPN.

Having amassed a target of 324, the Sri Lankan bowlers skittled out the tourists for 191 inside 43 overs for their biggest win in ODIs over Afghanistan, AFP reported.

Here though cameos from Shanaka, Dhananjaya and Hasaranga pushed Sri Lanka beyond the 300-mark, with Hasaranga in particular relishing the role of late-order destroyer in his 12-ball 29. Having long struggled in the death overs, Sri Lanka plundered 109 runs in the final 10 this time around.

Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva picked up three wickets apiece, while Dushmantha Chameera put in a sterling shift at the top of the innings to pick up figures of 2 for 18 on his return the one-day side.

Despite fifties from Ibrahim Zadran and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan were rarely in the hunt as Sri Lanka levelled the series, recording a commanding 132-run win in the second ODI.

sa