AFGHANISTAN TOUR OF SRI LANKA, 2024

ONLY TEST

Jayasuriya’s five-wicket haul propels Sri Lanka to a convincing victory

Led by Prabath Jayasuriya’s five-wicket haul in the second innings, Sri Lanka orchestrated a dramatic collapse on Monday, securing a commanding 10-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test in Colombo.

Despite Afghanistan’s solid position at 214 for 1 in their second innings, the visitors lost their last nine wickets for a mere 82 runs.

Chasing a modest target of 56 for victory, Sri Lankan openers, Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka, faced little difficulty as they efficiently reached the target in just 44 balls.

Afghanistan had shown resilience on the third day, fueled by Ibrahim Zaran’s maiden Test century and valuable contributions from Noor Ali and Rahmat Shah, reaching 199 for 1 at stumps.

However, their batting form did not continue on the fourth morning.

Kasun Rajitha made an early breakthrough in the second over after the second new ball was taken.

Soon after Rahmat Shah completed his half-century, Rajitha dismissed him with a delivery that moved slightly away after pitching, inducing an outside edge to the wicketkeeper.

The pivotal moment came later when Jayasuriya outfoxed Ibrahim with a turning delivery, dismantling his stumps.

This dismissal triggered a collapse from which the visitors struggled to recover.

The left-arm spinner also dismissed Shahidi caught behind, while Qais Ahmad succumbed to an outside edge to the wicketkeeper.

Jayasuriya’s stellar performance earned him a well-deserved five-wicket haul, a significant contribution to Sri Lanka’s victory.

In between these dismissals, Asitha Fernando’s swinging delivery claimed Ikram Alikhil, who edged to the wicketkeeper.

Fernando then had Saleem Saifi top-edging a pull to slips.

Sri Lanka wasted no time in completing the formalities as both openers aggressively attacked after a couple of watchful overs.

Madushka initiated the onslaught against Naveed before Karunaratne took charge.

The pacer conceded 30 runs in three overs, and Karunaratne sealed the victory by striking two boundaries off Qais’s first two deliveries in the eighth over of the chase.