Rahmat Shah scored a sensational knock to avoid wasting Afghanistan on Day 1 of the one Take a look at match in opposition to Sri Lanka on Friday. The skilled batter scored 91 runs to assist his crew on monitor for a difficult whole of 198 at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports activities Membership Floor.
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Sadeera Samarawickrama displayed a superb presence of thoughts to disclaim Rahmat his second Take a look at hundred. Sadeera learn Prabath Jayasuriya’s supply effectively and positioned himself effectively off the leg aspect to take a superb low catch at leg slip. Rahmat was looking for a 4 with a sweep shot and nearly succeeded however Sadeera’s cleverness shocked Afghan batter and everybody.
In the meantime, Sri Lanka’s new captain Dhanajaya de Silva gained the toss and elected to bowl first within the first match of the multi-format sequence. Vishwa Fernando dismissed Ibrahim Zadran on the second supply of the sport after which Sri Lankan bowlers by no means gave away the momentum. Aside from Rahmat’s good recognized, solely Noor Ali Zadran managed to achieve the 30-run mark on Day 1.
Vishwa Fernando additionally picked essential wickets of Ali Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi as Afghanistan batters struggled for any significant partnerships. Rahmat one way or the other managed to steadiness the sport within the second session by including 45 runs for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper batter Ikram Alikhil.
However Jayasuriya and Samarawickrama ended Rahmat’s spectacular innings and took two extra wickets to bundle out the guests on 198 in 62.4 overs. Vishwa bagged the very best 4 wickets for 51 whereas Asitha Fernando and Jayasuriya picked three every.
After spectacular bowling, Sri Lanka additionally dominated with a bat by including 80 runs for the opening wicket with out shedding any wickets on Day 1. The previous captain Dimuth Karunaratne smashed 42* off simply 37 balls and Nishan Madushka added 36 unbeaten to assist Sri Lanka rating 80/0 in 14 overs.