Cricket is more than just a sport in Sri Lanka—it’s a way of life. The island nation’s love for the game runs deep, and every match feels like a festival. On February 9, 2024, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium hosted an electrifying One Day International (ODI) between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard. It was the first of a three-match ODI series, and what a game it turned out to be! Sri Lanka clinched a 42-run victory, but the match was packed with moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s dive into the story of this exciting clash, break down the scorecard, and relive the highlights in a way that’s easy for anyone to enjoy, whether you’re a cricket newbie or a seasoned fan.
Setting the Stage: A Battle of Grit and Talent
Sri Lanka, with their rich cricketing history, entered the match as favorites. They’ve won the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and the ICC T20 World Cup in 2014, and their home grounds are known to be tough for visiting teams. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is a rising force in world cricket. Since gaining ODI status in 2009 and Test status in 2017, they’ve pulled off stunning upsets, including victories over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. This match was a chance for Afghanistan to prove they could compete with the big guns on their turf, while Sri Lanka aimed to assert their dominance at home.
The Pallekele pitch is known for being batsman-friendly early on, with some help for bowlers later under the lights. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to exploit any early movement and chase the total later. Little did they know, Sri Lanka’s batsmen had other plans!
Sri Lanka’s Batting: A Record-Breaking Show
Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a solid start with openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando. The duo put on a steady partnership, mixing cautious play with aggressive shots to keep the scoreboard ticking. Nissanka, in particular, was in sublime form. He played with elegance, finding gaps in the field and punishing loose deliveries. Fernando supported him well, and together they built a foundation that set the tone for a big total.
By the 38th over, Sri Lanka reached 250 runs, with Nissanka still at the crease, looking unstoppable. The third-wicket partnership between Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama was a highlight, adding 50 runs in just 39 balls. Samarawickrama’s quickfire 29 gave the innings momentum, while Nissanka anchored the effort. Afghanistan’s bowlers tried to fight back with reviews for wickets, but both reviews in the 34th and 46th overs were struck down, leaving them frustrated.
As the innings progressed, Sri Lanka unleashed their full firepower. Nissanka’s historic performance saw him score a double century—a rare feat in ODI cricket. By the 47th over, Sri Lanka crossed 350 runs, with extras contributing 13. The powerplay from overs 40.1 to 50 was explosive, yielding 120 runs for just one wicket. Sri Lanka finished their 50 overs at a mammoth 381/3, setting a daunting target for Afghanistan. Nissanka’s unbeaten knock was the centerpiece, supported by contributions from Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka.
Afghanistan’s Bowling: A Tough Day in the Field
Afghanistan’s bowlers had a challenging day. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Noor Ahmad tried to keep things tight, but Sri Lanka’s batsmen were relentless. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi bowled with heart, but the pitch offered little assistance, and the boundaries kept flowing. Afghanistan’s fielding was spirited, but a few misfields and missed opportunities added to their woes. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t break Sri Lanka’s momentum, and the massive total loomed large.
Afghanistan’s Chase: A Valiant Effort Falls Short
Chasing 382 was always going to be a tall order, but Afghanistan approached it with courage. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran started positively, reaching 100 runs in 20.3 overs. Gurbaz’s aggressive strokeplay gave Afghanistan hope, while Zadran played a more measured role. The sixth-wicket partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi was a standout, adding 100 runs in 120 balls. Nabi’s attacking 70 and Omarzai’s steady 30 showed Afghanistan’s fighting spirit.
However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Dilruwan Perera and Dushmantha Chameera bowled tight lines, while Wanindu Hasaranga’s spin proved tricky. Afghanistan’s middle order struggled against Sri Lanka’s disciplined attack, and despite their counterattack, they couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. Reviews by Sri Lanka in the 17th and 28th overs for wickets were struck down, but their persistence paid off. Afghanistan finished at 339/6, falling 42 runs short of the target.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling: Discipline and Spin Magic
Sri Lanka’s bowlers deserve credit for defending the total. Chameera’s pace troubled the Afghan batsmen early on, while Hasaranga’s leg-spin kept them guessing. The fielding was sharp, with key catches and quick work in the outfield. Captain Kusal Mendis rotated his bowlers smartly, ensuring Afghanistan never got too comfortable. The combination of pace, spin, and tight fielding made it tough for Afghanistan to close the gap, securing Sri Lanka’s victory.
Key Moments That Defined the Match
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Nissanka’s Double Century: Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten 200+ was a masterclass in ODI batting. His ability to pace the innings and accelerate at the right moments set up Sri Lanka’s massive total.
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Omarzai-Nabi Partnership: Afghanistan’s sixth-wicket stand of 100 runs kept them in the game, showing their resilience and depth.
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Sri Lanka’s Powerplay Surge: The final 10 overs of Sri Lanka’s innings produced 120 runs, turning a good total into an imposing one.
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Hasaranga’s Spin: Wanindu Hasaranga’s tight bowling in the middle overs slowed Afghanistan’s chase, proving decisive.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: A Detailed Look
Below is the full scorecard of the match, breaking down the performances of both teams.
|
Sri Lanka Batting |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pathum Nissanka |
210* | 139 | 20 | 8 | 151.07 |
Not Out |
|
Avishka Fernando |
45 | 60 | 5 | 1 | 75.00 |
Caught |
|
Kusal Mendis (c, wk) |
40 | 50 | 4 | 0 | 80.00 |
Bowled |
|
Sadeera Samarawickrama |
29 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 120.83 |
Caught |
|
Charith Asalanka |
45* | 27 | 4 | 2 | 166.67 |
Not Out |
|
Extras |
13 |
(lb 5, w 8) |
||||
|
Total |
381/3 |
50 Overs |
RR: 7.62 |
|
Afghanistan Bowling |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
10 | 0 | 78 | 1 | 7.80 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
10 | 0 | 82 | 1 | 8.20 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
10 | 0 | 76 | 0 | 7.60 |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
10 | 0 | 65 | 1 | 6.50 |
|
Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
8 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 7.50 |
|
Rashid Khan |
2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 10.00 |
|
Afghanistan Batting |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
65 | 45 | 8 | 2 | 144.44 |
Caught |
|
Ibrahim Zadran |
50 | 60 | 5 | 0 | 83.33 |
Bowled |
|
Rahmat Shah |
30 | 40 | 3 | 0 | 75.00 |
Caught |
|
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) |
25 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 71.43 |
LBW |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
30 | 50 | 2 | 1 | 60.00 |
Not Out |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
70 | 60 | 6 | 3 | 116.67 |
Caught |
|
Ikram Alikhil (wk) |
45* | 30 | 4 | 1 | 150.00 |
Not Out |
|
Extras |
24 |
(lb 10, w 14) |
||||
|
Total |
339/6 |
50 Overs |
RR: 6.78 |
|
Sri Lanka Bowling |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dushmantha Chameera |
10 | 0 | 70 | 2 | 7.00 |
|
Pramod Madushan |
8 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 7.50 |
|
Wanindu Hasaranga |
10 | 0 | 55 | 2 | 5.50 |
|
Dilruwan Perera |
10 | 0 | 65 | 1 | 6.50 |
|
Maheesh Theekshana |
10 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 7.00 |
|
Charith Asalanka |
2 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 9.50 |
Result: Sri Lanka won by 42 runs.
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy.
Date: February 9, 2024.
Toss: Afghanistan won and elected to bowl.
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (210*).
Why This Match Mattered
This match wasn’t just about the runs and wickets—it was a showcase of cricketing spirit. For Sri Lanka, it was a statement of intent. Nissanka’s double century etched his name in the history books, and the team’s dominant performance set the tone for the series. They went on to win the series 3-0, proving their strength at home.
For Afghanistan, the loss stung, but their fight showed why they’re a team to watch. Their ability to score 339 in reply to 381 highlighted their growing confidence. The Omarzai-Nabi partnership was a reminder that Afghanistan can compete with the best, even if they didn’t cross the finish line this time.
A Look at the Bigger Picture
This match was part of Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in 2024, which included one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Sri Lanka dominated the series, winning the Test by 10 wickets, the ODIs 3-0, and the T20Is 2-1. However, Afghanistan’s performances, especially in the World Cup prior, showed they’re closing the gap with top teams. Their historic wins over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in 2023 proved they’re no longer just underdogs.
For the Fans: Why Cricket is So Special
If you’re new to cricket, this match is a perfect example of why it’s so loved. It’s not just about hitting the ball or taking wickets—it’s about strategy, teamwork, and heart. Nissanka’s patience, Afghanistan’s fightback, and the electric atmosphere in Pallekele all tell a story. Whether you’re 10 or 80, cricket has something for everyone: the thrill of a big six, the tension of a close finish, and the joy of cheering for your team.
What’s Next?
Sri Lanka will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for future tours, including a white-ball series in England in 2026. Afghanistan, meanwhile, continues to grow, with their sights set on more upsets in global tournaments. Both teams showed in this match that cricket is alive and thriving, and fans can’t wait for their next encounter.
