Sri Lanka hands Afghanistan 4-run defeat in thrilling T20I series opener

KABUL (Pajhwok): Sri Lanka have trounced Afghanistan by four runs in the opener of three-match T20I series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

After winning the toss, Afghanistan invited the hosts to bat first. Sri Lanka was all out for 160 in 19 overs with allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga played an outstanding counterpunch innings of 67 off 32.

Afghan seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi took three wickets to help bowl out Sri Lanka after their late-innings collapse. Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai bagged two wickets each.

For much of Afghanistan’s chase the game had looked in hand, particularly with Ibrahim at the crease, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers led by Pathirana did well to grab wickets at crucial junctures and nip in at the death, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Turning the game in the hosts favour, fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana claimed four wickets to help rescue his side after their batting collapse and hand Afghanistan a narrow four-run defeat.

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will play their second T20I at the same venue on Monday.

Earlier, the hosts trounced Afghanistan in the one-off Test match and three-match ODI series.

kk/sa

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