Afghanistan has roared back into the SL vs AFG one-off Test by winning the third day of the Test in Colombo. Starting the day with Sri Lanka still batting, they dismissed their last four wickets for just 29 runs. After that, their batters took charge. The Zadrans (Ibrahim and Noor Ali) and Rahmat Shah made the hosts toil hard, displaying old-fashioned gritty cricket.
Sri Lanka fails to capitalize
Starting the day with a massive lead of 212, Sri Lanka looked in prime position to dominate the third day as well. With Sadeera Samarawickrama and Chamika Gunasekara in the middle, 500 was still on the cards for the hosts.
However, Naveed Zadran had other plans. He sent Samarawickrama and Prabath Jayasuriya to the pavilion to reduce Sri Lanka to 435/8. A touch of luck for Afghanistan forced Gunasekara to retire hurt, and the hosts were all out for just 439.
Afghanistan batters stand up at last
After a no-show in the first inning, the Afghan batters finally showed their mettle. Their openers, Ibrahim Zadran and Noor Ali Zadran, put up a splendid 106-run stand to cut down the lead.
After Noor Ali’s dismissal, the first-inning highest scorer, Rahmat Shah, joined Zadran. Their slow and steady batting approach seemed to be working well.
Finding no openings, newly appointed skipper Dhananjaya de Silva decided to make sure they kept a tab on the run rate. He gave the ball to Prabath Jayasuriya, who bowled 32 overs and bowled 9 overs himself. Although the run rate was under 3, it forced the Sri Lanka bowlers to tire and eventually helped the Afghan batters.
Towards the end of the day’s play, Ibrahim Zadran scored his and Afghanistan’s maiden in Test cricket. The hit 11 boundaries, batting for 216 balls to reach the milestone.
SL vs AFG Test: Brief Scores
Afghanistan 1st inning: 198-10 (Rahmat Shah 91, Noor Ali Zadran 31; Vishwa Fernando 4/51, Asitha Fernando 3/24)
Sri Lanka1st inning: 439-10 (Angelo Mathews 141, Dinesh Chandimal 107; Naveed Zadran 4/83, Nijat Masood 2/76)
Afghanistan 2nd inning: 199/1 (Ibrahim Zadran 101, Noor Ali Zadran 47; Asitha Fernando 1/35)
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