Sri Lanka on Saturday opened up a huge lead on the second day of the SL vs AFG one-off Test. After bowling out Afghanistan for 198 in the first innings, Sri Lanka ended the day at 410/6, with Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal both scoring centuries for the hosts.
After resuming the day at 80 for no loss, Sri Lankan opener Nishan Madushka departed early as the visitors saw a chance to get back into the game. Kusal Mendis also departed without troubling the scorers much as Afghanistan looked to get a foothold in the game. Dimuth Karunaratne scored 77 opening the innings, but his dismissal left Sri Lanka in a spot of bother on 148/3.
However, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal consolidated Sri Lanka’s innings and turned the momentum in favour of Sri Lanka once again. The duo put on a partnership of 182 as both went on to score centuries. Chandimal departed after scoring 107 of 181 balls. Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva scored a golden duck, but the Island nation had gained a considerable amount of lead till then.
Angelo Mathews looked destined to score 150 but he was undone by a stroke of bad luck. The former captain was out hit-wicket on the last ball of the day, although Sri Lanka gained a sizable lead of 212 runs.
It will be a tough task for Afghanistan to get back into the game. Afghanistan will look to bowl Sri Lanka out as soon as possible on Day 3 in order for them to have a sniff into the game.