In a commanding performance, Sri Lanka secured a series victory against Afghanistan in the second T20I clash, thanks to a stellar all-round display by Angelo Mathews. Here’s a breakdown of the action-packed encounter:
Mathews Leads from the Front:
- Angelo Mathews proved to be the hero for Sri Lanka, contributing significantly with both bat and ball.
- Mathews showcased his batting prowess by scoring a crucial 42 runs, setting up a competitive total for Sri Lanka.
- With the ball, Mathews displayed his bowling skills by snapping two wickets in the powerplay, denting Afghanistan’s chase early on.
Clinical Bowling Performance:
- Sri Lanka’s bowling unit delivered an all-round performance, led by Mathews, Binuro Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Matheesha Pathirana, who all claimed two wickets each.
- The bowlers maintained consistent pressure on the Afghan batsmen, restricting them to a below-par total.
Early Setback for Afghanistan:
- Afghanistan faced early setbacks in their chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
- Despite efforts from Naveen-ul-Haq and Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan struggled to build partnerships and fell short in their pursuit of the target.
Sri Lanka’s Dominance Continues:
- The victory in the second T20I adds to Sri Lanka’s successful campaign against Afghanistan across all formats.
- Sri Lanka had previously won the one-off Test match and swept the one-day international series 3-0.
- With their dominant performance in the T20Is, Sri Lanka asserted their superiority over the visitors.
Series Recap:
- Sri Lanka’s triumph in the T20I series follows their consistent dominance over Afghanistan in the preceding matches.
- The hosts displayed exceptional skills and teamwork, outclassing Afghanistan in every department of the game.
- Afghanistan, despite their efforts, struggled to match Sri Lanka’s performance throughout the series.
Looking Ahead:
- With the series victory secured, Sri Lanka will look to maintain their winning momentum in future engagements.
- Afghanistan, on the other hand, will aim to regroup and learn from their experiences as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
As the dust settles on another thrilling encounter, Sri Lanka celebrates a well-deserved series triumph while Afghanistan reflects on their performances, seeking improvement for the battles ahead.