SL VS AFG - 2nd ODI, Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka, 2023

ankush: "Much-needed performance from the Lankans, especially in the lead-up to the WC qualifiers."

Varun: "Brilliant comeback from SL. Hoping for a cracking final."

We had a good day with our fantasy picks. DDS and Hasaranga contributed with both bat and ball while Kusal Mendis was the highest scorer in the game. Did you have the trio in your team? Do follow #FantasyHandbook on Cricbuzz Plus to know what our experts suggest. That's all from this game. We have the decider coming up in a couple of days time and do tune in for that. Until next time, goodbye and stay safe..

Dasun Shanaka: Our approach was the same, playing with a positive intent but the wicket was better than the other day. The ball was coming on and with the partnerships we had, we knew we would score big today. We didn't play on such pitches on a regular basis and credit to the groundstaff for such a good pitch, also our top-order fired today. The start was good and hence myself and Hasaranga could finish off the innings. Chameera is bowling with intent and he has the right skill when it comes to white-ball cricket, injury kept him back but you need to have him when fit. (On whether they will be changes for the third ODI) It is up to the selectors and team management, we have to make the right decisions keeping the WC Qualifiers in mind.

Hashmatullah Shahidi: I think the main point was our fielding and the last 10 overs with the ball. Sometimes such games happen, everyone tried hard but we were not up to the mark. The batting line-up is improving day by day and come back stronger in the next game. The pitch was not very difficult in the second innings but the 30 extra runs that Sri Lanka made put us under pressure. Yes, he (Rashid Khan) will be available for the next game.

Dhananjaya de Silva | Player of the Match: Last couple of series I was batting up the order, but I am enjoying the new role (batting at six and bowling the middle overs). My role was to support Wanindu and Mahesh, keeping it tight and bowl as many dots as possible.

17:31 Local Time, 12:01 GMT: The chase never really took off for Afghanistan. They were 33/1 at the end of 10 overs and that is not the start you want while chasing a 300+ total. There were a couple of partnerships for the second and third wicket, Ibrahim Zadran and Shahidi got to their respective fifties as well but they never threatened to take the game away from Sri Lanka. Once the pair were dismissed the rest of the batters, apart from Omarzai, fell apart. Chameera picked up an early wicket but DDS did the damage in the middle overs by picking up three wickets while Hasaranga came back to finish off the tail. An all-round performance with bat and ball from Sri Lanka has ensured we have a decider on Wednesday. Hang around for the presentations..

Theekshana to Azmatullah, out Caught by Shanaka!! Sri Lanka win by 132 runs. A thumping victory for the home side and it keeps the series alive. Theekshana gets his name in the wicket's column. The flicker and it straightens a tad, Omarzai goes for the loft down town but ends up slicing it towards long-off, Shanaka settles under it and takes it calmly. Azmatullah c Shanaka b Theekshana 28(31) [4s-4 6s-1]

Theekshana to Azmatullah, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Hasaranga to Fazalhaq Farooqi, no run, wrong 'un and stays a bit low, Farooqi stabs it into the wicket

Hasaranga to Fazalhaq Farooqi, no run, floaty full toss around off, Farooqi is happy to defend it to cover

Hasaranga to Fazalhaq Farooqi, no run, attacks the stumps, Farooqi gets right behind the line and defends

Hasaranga to Fazalhaq Farooqi, no run, googly around off, Farooqi stays back and keeps it out

Fazalhaq Farooqi, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Hasaranga to Fareed Ahmad, out Bowled!! That's why Omarzai wanted to keep most of the strike. Two balls from Hasaranga and he's through Fareed's defences. Loopy leg-break and Fareed is drawn forward, the ball spins in and sneaks through the big gap between bat and pad, crashes into the top of middle-stump. One more wicket to level the series. Fareed Ahmad b Hasaranga 0(5)

Hasaranga to Fareed Ahmad, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Hasaranga to Fareed Ahmad, no run, leg-break and it turns in, Fareed camps back and defends down the pitch

Theekshana to Azmatullah, no run, whipped to mid-wicket and Hasaranga is quick to pounce. Omarzai cannot keep strike

Theekshana to Azmatullah, no run, carrom ball on off, Omarzai prods forward and defends it back

Theekshana to Azmatullah, no run, makes room and Theekshana follows him, Omarzai knocks it towards cover and sends back Fareed

Theekshana to Azmatullah, no run, off-break that is fraction short, Omarzai cuts and picks out cover

Theekshana to Azmatullah, FOUR, dragged short and Omarzai does not miss out, he pulls in front of square and splits the two fielders in the deep