Sri Lanka took an unassailable 2-0 lead over Afghanistan in the three-match T20I series as they beat visitors by 72 runs in the second T20I on Monday (February 19) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.  

After being put in to bat first, the hosts posted a massive score of 187/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Afghanistan could only muster 115 in 17 overs.

Their chase got off to the worst possible start as they were left reeling at 31/5 after 4.3 overs with Hazratullah Zazai (1 off 2), Ibrahim Zadran (10 off 7), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (13 off 8), Gulbadin Naib (4 off 8) and Azmatullah Omarzai (0 off 1) back in the hut. Mohammad Nabi (27 off 17) and Karim Janat (28 off 23) tried to stabilize the innings with their stand of 39 off 29 balls but couldn’t extend it ahead.

As a result, Afghanistan were bundled out for 115 in 17 overs as Sri Lankan bowlers hunted in a pack with Angelo Mathews (2/9, 2 overs), Binura Fernando (2/18, 2 overs), Wanindu Hasaranga (2/19, 4 overs) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/22, 3 overs) picking up two wickets each.

Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a great start as their openers Pathum Nissanka (25 off 11) and Kusal Mendis (23 off 14) added 45 runs for the first wicket off 23 balls. However, the duo failed to convert their starts falling prey to Azmatullah Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi in a space of three balls.

Angelo Mathews and Sadeera Samarawickrama took Sri Lanka to 187

After a quick start, Afghanistan pulled things back in the middle overs dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva (14 off 14), Wanindu Hasaranga (22 off 9) and Charith Asalanka (4 off 8) cheaply to leave Sri Lanka on 121/5 after 14.2 overs.

 A 66-run stand off 34 balls between Sadeera Samarawickrama (51 off 42) and Angelo Mathews (42* off 22) bailed their side out of trouble as Sri Lanka finished on 187/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Mohammad Nabi was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan with figures of 2/25 (4 overs).

- With input from agencies