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.