Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka said what he achieved against Afghanistan was beyond his childhood dreams. Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan batter to score a double century in ODI cricket.

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Nissanka scored an unbeaten 210 against Afghanistan, smashing 20 fours and eight sixes. The opening batter got to his maiden ODI double hundred in just 136 balls, becoming only the 10th player ever to hit a double century in the 50-over format.

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Nissanka went past the record held by Jayasuriya to register the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan in ODIs when he surpassed 189 runs, while also becoming the joint fifth-highest individual scorer in ODI history. Nissanka’s record-breaking innings helped Sri Lanka take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

SRI LANKA BEAT AFGHANISTAN IN THRILLER

After being asked to bat first, the home side posted 381 for 3 on the scoreboard. Sri Lanka put up a massive total on the board, largely owing to Nissanka’s brilliant knock.

The opening duo of Nissanka and Avishka Fernando posted 182 runs for the opening wicket in 26.2 overs until Fernando was dismissed at 88 runs. Unfazed by Fernando’s departure, Nissanka turned increasingly ferocious and battered the Afghan bowlers, ending his charge at an unbeaten 210 runs from 139 balls.

The response from Afghanistan was initially dampened by Sri Lanka’s fast bowling combination of Pramod Madushan and Dushmantha Chameera, who seamlessly penetrated the Afghan lineup causing the collapse of their top and middle order to just 55 for 5 in the powerplay.

However, the match witnessed a dramatic twist as all-rounders, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai, formed a robust 6th wicket partnership worth 242 runs. The two stitched the second-highest 6th wicket stand in ODI cricket history.

Despite this spirited comeback by Afghanistan, the match was decisively turned in Sri Lanka’s favor, thanks to an exceptionally crafty bowling spell from Madushan. This led to the crucial dismissal of Nabi, who was heading towards a dominant 136 runs.

Omarzai, nevertheless, continued to fight and remained unbeaten on 149 runs from 115 balls as Afghanistan concluded their innings at 339 for 6, missing the target by 42 runs.

Both teams will now lock horns at the same venue for the second match of their series slated for Sunday, February 11.

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