Sri Lanka win 2nd ODI to level series

Sri Lanka have levelled the three-match series against Afghanistan after winning the 2nd ODI by a significant margin of 132 runs. 

Afghanistan saw their last wicket, Azmatullah Omarzai, fall in the 42nd over after Maheesh Theekshana’s ball was up in the air and caught by skipper Dasun Shanaka. 

Bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva took stunning three-wicket hauls each, securing the game for the hosts despite Afghanistan’s efforts to seal the series. 

Meanwhile, Dushmantha Chameera, who was seen on the field for the first time since his injury during the T20 World Cup in October 2022, also picked up two wickets giving away 18 runs. 

Despite the visitors having gotten off to a good start, they lost their momentum after Ibrahim Zadran was edged out by de Silva for 54 runs in the 30th over, with seven of their batsmen losing their wicket for single-digit runs. 

Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for just 191 runs in 42 overs, chasing a target of 324. Zadran and Shahidi managed to score half centuries. 

The two teams will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday (07 June) at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota for the final match of the series.