Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai almost stole Sri Lankan Pathum Nissanka’s thunder in the first ODI of the three-match series between the two teams in Pallekele on Friday.
While opener Nissanka created history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to breach the 200-run mark in an innings in an ODI, the Afghan duo came up with a stellar response as they dared to chase down a huge target after the home team posted 381/3 in 50 overs.
Both Nabi and Omarzai hit blazing centuries, but the former’s dismissal in the 46th over hampered Afghanistan’s brave attempt. They finally finished on 339/6 to lose the match by 42 runs.
It was a remarkable recovery by the Afghans after they were 19/3 and 55/5 early in the match. Nabi and Omarzai’s 242-run stand threatened the Lankans. But in the end the target turned out to be too stiff.
While Nabi smashed 136 off 130 balls with 15 boundaries and three sixes, Omarzai made 149 not out.
For Sri Lanka, Pramod Madushan was the most successful bowler with 4/75.
Earlier, Nissanka scored his country’s first-ever double century in the 50-over format, remaining unbeaten on 210 off just 139 balls.
The 25-year-old right-handed batter hit 20 fours and eight sixes during his magnificent knock.
Nissanka’s 210 not out is the fifth-highest individual score in ODI history. He is also the fifth batter to have carried the bat after scoring a double century. In the process, Nissanka also became the highest individual scorer for Sri Lanka in ODIs, surpassing former opener Sanath Jayasuriya, whose 189 against India stood as a record for over 23 years.
Jayasuriya was quick to congratulate Nissanka.
“Congratulations to Pathum on a masterclass in batting. I am so so privileged to witness it in person pure bliss,” the former Sri Lanka captain posted on X.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 381/3 in 50 overs (Pathum Nissanka 210 n.o., Avishka Fernando 88, Sadeera Samarawickrama 45). Afghanistan 339/6 in 50 ovs (Azmatullah Omarzai 149 not out, Mohammad Nabi 136; Pramod Madushan 4/75). Sri Lanka won by 42 runs.
