In a massive chase of 382 against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan came close to chasing down the total. All-rounders Azmatullah Omarzai as well as Mohammad Nabi came dangerously close to pulling off a robbery for their team. During the first ODI on Friday they displayed incredible skill for their side. At the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka prevailed by 42 runs despite the pair’s magnificent 242 run partnership.
Upon being requested to bat first, Sri Lanka amassed an incredible 381/3 in 50 overs. With an incredible effort, opener Pathum Nissanka (210*) emerged as the first batter from Sri Lanka to score two hundred in an ODI. He was assisted in the batting area by Sadeera Samarawickrama’s amazing cameo and Avishka Fernando’s 88 run contribution.
In a difficult chase, Afghanistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, much like a deck of cards. After 8.3 overs, they found themselves out at 55/5 and looked deflated. But at this point, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai teamed up and wrote one of the great comeback stories with a firm stance.
Omarzai gave another outstanding performance that left everyone in awe. He ended the match undefeated with a score of 149* (115). Nabi was dismissed during the 46th over for 136 (130). Afghanistan ultimately lost the chase by 42 runs because they received little assistance from other players in an ambitious effort.
“The pitch was a good one to bat” : Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stated that the dew element affected his choice to bowl first during the toss at the post-match press conference. He believed that they gave up too many runs throughout the first innings using the ball and that the surface helped batting in both innings.
The Afghanistan skipper said, “The decision was due to the dew factor (on opting to bowl first). We were thinking that there would be dew in the second innings. The pitch was a good one to bat in the second innings as well.”
Fans react as Afghanistan show amazing fight against Sri Lanka during first ODI:
A FIGHTBACK TO REMEMBER BY AFGHANISTAN…!!!
After 55/5 in a 382 chase – Nabi 136 and Omarzai 149* built an incredible stand. A partnership to remember for a long time. Well done, Afghanistan. ? pic.twitter.com/fcO9b6ivtw
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 9, 2024
A fightback which will give confidence to Afghanistan. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi played inning of their life. Afghanistan winning hearts
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) February 9, 2024
unbelievable partnership from Nabi and omarzai pic.twitter.com/8w7qKmmK6w
— Messi Fan (@George_leo453) February 9, 2024
Same 5 wkts indian batsman in Final..
Ipl bully Jadeja scored 20 balls 9 and
Test Sky ???— Praneeth (@fantasy_d11) February 9, 2024
nice batting by both, unfortunately they fell short
— Muhammad Irfan ????? (@IrfiLuck) February 9, 2024
Memorable innings by Young Omarzai…
— Hriday Singh (@hridaysingh16) February 9, 2024
They are going to be a force to beckon with in upcoming years!!
— Talha PCTFAN (@PctTalha) February 9, 2024
Brilliant performance ?
— Cricket Wala (@asghar_muh88722) February 9, 2024
Rashid Khan and other good player giving more importance to franchise cricket and this is the main reason for today's Afghanistan loss ?
Imagine Rashid Khan , Noor and Naveen playing today then Afghanistan definitely wins today .— Dhoni and Jadeja fan (@Msdian_Prakhar) February 9, 2024
I will say again and again Omarzai is the next big thing , he was gone a steal Deal in IPL auction
— Subigyan Lucky (@LuckySubigyan) February 9, 2024
Emerging talented allrounder!!
— jagdish pal (@JagdishPal99) February 10, 2024
Afghanistan team improved in Jonathan Trott's Era
What a coach !!!— Maheswari Ramesh (@rameswari_4) February 10, 2024
Tumhari Jeet se jyada, humari haar ke charche hai.
Nissanka ke 200 se jyada, Nabi ke 100 ke charche hai— ?????? (@4rshhh) February 10, 2024
Or yaha hardik pandya century nahi mar paya abhi tak ?
— Sagar Chawlani (@ChawlaniSa84975) February 9, 2024
What a day of cricket
— Sami Shahzad (@Samishahzad111) February 9, 2024
