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The rivalry between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team has become one of the most exciting contests in Asian cricket. Sri Lanka bring decades of international experience and a rich cricketing history, while Afghanistan have rapidly emerged as a formidable force with explosive batting and a world-class spin attack. Their matches often feature high-scoring innings, dramatic momentum shifts, and outstanding individual performances. One of the most memorable recent encounters came in the first ODI of the Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka 2024, where Sri Lanka posted a record-breaking total before securing a hard-fought victory. This article provides the complete Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, along with detailed batting and bowling figures, key moments, match highlights, and records.
Match Summary
| Match | 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Series | Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka 2024 |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| Date | February 9, 2024 |
| Toss | Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 42 runs |
| Player of the Match | Pathum Nissanka |
Match Scorecard
First Innings Scorecard – Sri Lanka
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 210* | 139 | 20 | 8 |
| Avishka Fernando | 88 | 88 | 8 | 3 |
| Kusal Mendis | 16 | 31 | 1 | 0 |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | 45 | 36 | 4 | 1 |
| Charith Asalanka | 7* | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 15 | — | — | — |
| Total | 381/3 | 50 Overs |
Sri Lanka produced one of their greatest ODI batting performances. Pathum Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan batter to score a double century in One Day Internationals, remaining unbeaten on 210. His opening partnership with Avishka Fernando laid the foundation for a massive total.
Bowling Figures – Afghanistan
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fareed Ahmad | 10 | 83 | 2 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10 | 44 | 1 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 10 | 88 | 0 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 10 | 76 | 0 |
| Noor Ahmad | 8 | 65 | 0 |
Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to contain Sri Lanka’s aggressive batting, particularly during the final 15 overs as Nissanka accelerated towards his historic double century.
Second Innings Scorecard – Afghanistan
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 55 | 43 | 9 | 1 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 67 | 55 | 7 | 2 |
| Rahmat Shah | 7 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | 7 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 149* | 115 | 13 | 6 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Ikram Alikhil | 10 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 34 | — | — | — |
| Total | 339/6 | 50 Overs |
Afghanistan mounted a remarkable chase. Azmatullah Omarzai played one of the finest innings of his career, remaining unbeaten on 149, while Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided solid starts. Despite the spirited effort, Afghanistan finished 42 runs short.
Fall of Wickets
| Team | Fall of Wickets |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 182, 225, 345 |
| Afghanistan | 58, 138, 151, 164, 286, 307 |
Sri Lanka’s ability to break partnerships at regular intervals prevented Afghanistan from completing what would have been a record chase.
Match Result
Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 42 runs.
The victory gave Sri Lanka a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series and showcased their batting strength led by Pathum Nissanka’s historic innings.
Player of the Match
Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Pathum Nissanka produced one of the greatest ODI innings by a Sri Lankan batter.
His remarkable knock included:
- 210 not out from 139 balls.
- 20 fours and 8 sixes.
- Sri Lanka’s first-ever ODI double century.
- A match-winning innings that powered Sri Lanka to 381.
His innings combined elegance, power, and remarkable consistency from the first over until the last.
Key Moments
Historic Double Century
Pathum Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan player to score an ODI double century.
Brilliant Opening Partnership
Nissanka and Avishka Fernando added 182 runs for the first wicket, putting Afghanistan under pressure immediately.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s Fighting Century
Omarzai’s unbeaten 149 nearly produced one of the greatest ODI run chases in cricket history.
Sri Lanka Hold Their Nerve
Despite Afghanistan’s strong finish, Sri Lanka’s bowlers picked up timely wickets to seal the victory.
Match Highlights
- Sri Lanka posted 381/3 in 50 overs.
- Pathum Nissanka scored an unbeaten 210.
- Avishka Fernando contributed 88.
- Afghanistan replied with 339/6.
- Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten on 149.
- Sri Lanka won the match by 42 runs.
Records Broken During the Match
First Sri Lankan ODI Double Century
Pathum Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan batter to score a double century in One Day Internationals.
Highest Individual ODI Score for Sri Lanka
Nissanka’s unbeaten 210 set a new national record.
Highest ODI Total Against Afghanistan
Sri Lanka’s 381/3 became one of their highest ODI totals against Afghanistan.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s Career-Best ODI Score
His unbeaten 149 became one of the highest individual scores by an Afghanistan batter in an ODI chase.
Head-to-Head Record
Sri Lanka have historically dominated the rivalry, although Afghanistan have become increasingly competitive in recent years.
| Format | Overall Trend |
|---|---|
| Test Cricket | Sri Lanka lead |
| ODI Cricket | Sri Lanka lead |
| T20 International | Closely contested |
Afghanistan’s steady rise has made recent matches far more competitive than the early encounters.
Recent Meetings
Recent contests between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan include:
- Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka 2024 ODI Series.
- ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
- Asia Cup tournaments.
- Bilateral T20 International series.
These matches have consistently produced exciting cricket and memorable individual performances.
Major Records
Team Records
- Sri Lanka recorded 381/3, one of their highest ODI totals.
- Afghanistan registered one of their highest successful chase attempts despite falling short.
- Both teams crossed 300 runs in a high-scoring ODI classic.
Individual Records
- Pathum Nissanka scored Sri Lanka’s first ODI double century.
- Azmatullah Omarzai produced a career-best unbeaten 149.
- Avishka Fernando registered an important 88 at the top of the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st ODI in 2024?
Sri Lanka won the match by 42 runs.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Pathum Nissanka received the award after his historic unbeaten 210.
What score did Sri Lanka make?
Sri Lanka scored 381/3 in their allotted 50 overs.
Who was Afghanistan’s highest scorer?
Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten with 149 runs.
Why is this match remembered?
The match is remembered for Pathum Nissanka’s record-breaking double century, the first by a Sri Lankan in ODI cricket, and Afghanistan’s spirited chase led by Azmatullah Omarzai.
Final Thoughts
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the first ODI of the 2024 series stands out as one of the finest ODI contests between the two nations. Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten double century rewrote Sri Lankan cricket history, while Afghanistan responded with a courageous chase inspired by Azmatullah Omarzai’s magnificent 149. Although Sri Lanka emerged victorious by 42 runs, the match highlighted the growing competitiveness of this rivalry and provided cricket fans with an unforgettable display of batting excellence.
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