Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline

The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline has evolved into an exciting rivalry in international cricket. Both teams bring their unique strengths, creating thrilling encounters across formats like ODIs, T20Is, and even Test matches. Afghanistan, as an emerging force, has challenged Sri Lanka’s established dominance, making their matchups highly anticipated by cricket fans.

Head- To Head Records

sri lanka national cricket team vs afghanistan national cricket team timeline

The head-to-head statistics highlight Sri Lanka’s dominance, particularly in ODIs and Tests. However, Afghanistan has made notable strides, especially in T20Is, where their performances reflect their growing prowess in the shortest format.

Format Matches Played Sri Lanka Wins Afghanistan Wins Draw/ No result
ODIs 15 10 4 1
T20Is 4 3 1 0
Tests 1 1 0 0

Recent Matches in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline

Recent Matches in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline

ODI Series – February 2024 (Pallekele)

Sri Lanka hosted Afghanistan for a three-match ODI series, which they won convincingly.

  1. 1st ODI: Sri Lanka won by 42 runs, led by Charith Asalanka’s solid 89 and Maheesh Theekshana’s 4/35.
  2. 2nd ODI: A dominant 155-run win for Sri Lanka, with Kusal Mendis scoring 120 and Prabath Jayasuriya taking 5 wickets.
  3. 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka chased down 220 with 7 wickets in hand, thanks to Dhananjaya de Silva’s unbeaten 68.

Test Match – February 2024 (Colombo)

The only Test match between the two teams saw Sri Lanka dominating with an innings and 124-run victory. Dinesh Chandimal’s double century (210*) and Prabath Jayasuriya’s 8 wickets were the standout performances.

T20I Series – February 2024

In a three-match T20I series, Sri Lanka clinched the series 2-1:

  1. 1st T20I: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets, led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 78 off 45 balls.
  2. 2nd T20I: Sri Lanka leveled the series with a 15-run win, with Wanindu Hasaranga’s 3/18 stealing the show.
  3. 3rd T20I: Sri Lanka won the decider by 6 wickets, guided by Pathum Nissanka’s 52*.

Sri Lanka Squads

 Pathum Nissanka

Dimuth Karunaratne / Kusal Mendis (Captain and Wicketkeeper)

Charith Asalanka

Dhananjaya de Silva

Angelo Mathews

Wanindu Hasaranga

Dasun Shanaka

Maheesh Theekshana

Kasun Rajitha

Lahiru Kumara

Prabath Jayasuriya

Afghanistan Squad

  Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper)

Ibrahim Zadran (Captain for T20Is)

Hashmatullah Shahidi (ODI Captain)

Najibullah Zadran

Mohammad Nabi

Rashid Khan

Riaz Hassan

Azmatullah Omarzai

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Naveen-ul-Haq

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Afghanistan’s Historic Victory

sri lanka national cricket team vs afghanistan national cricket team timeline

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 became a landmark event in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline, as Afghanistan achieved a historic 7-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Pune. This match was a testament to Afghanistan’s growth as a competitive cricketing nation capable of toppling more experienced teams on the global stage.

Match Highlights

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s Explosive Half-Century: Gurbaz set the tone for Afghanistan’s chase with a blistering 65 off 45 balls. His innings was marked by aggressive stroke play, targeting Sri Lanka’s bowlers right from the start. With powerful drives and commanding pulls, Gurbaz built a foundation that eased the pressure on the middle order.
  • Rashid Khan’s Economical Bowling: Rashid Khan, a stalwart of Afghanistan cricket, delivered a masterclass in spin bowling. His figures of 2/28 in 10 overs not only stifled Sri Lanka’s scoring rate but also removed key middle-order batsmen at crucial junctures, preventing them from accelerating in the death overs.

Afghanistan chased down Sri Lanka’s total of 242 with clinical precision, reaching the target in just 46 overs. The victory underscored their ability to perform under pressure, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey.

Dominant Series Performances by Sri Lanka

While Afghanistan’s rise has been notable, Sri Lanka has demonstrated its dominance through comprehensive performances, particularly in the February 2024 series. These encounters further solidified Sri Lanka’s upper hand in their head-to-head record, showcasing their ability to adapt and overcome challenges.

ODI Series Sweep – February 2024

Sri Lanka hosted Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series at Pallekele and delivered an emphatic clean sweep:

  1. 1st ODI: Sri Lanka won by 42 runs. Charith Asalanka anchored the innings with a gritty 89, while Maheesh Theekshana’s 4/35 dismantled Afghanistan’s middle order.
  2. 2nd ODI: Sri Lanka secured a massive 155-run victory. Kusal Mendis starred with a stunning century (120 off 96 balls), supported by Prabath Jayasuriya’s five-wicket haul, which skittled Afghanistan for a meager total.
  3. 3rd ODI: Chasing 220, Sri Lanka cruised to a 7-wicket victory, with Dhananjaya de Silva playing a composed knock of 68*, ensuring a smooth chase.

T20I Series – February 2024

Sri Lanka also edged out Afghanistan in the three-match T20I series:

  1. 1st T20I: Afghanistan started strong, winning by 5 wickets. Gurbaz’s 78 off 45 balls was the highlight of the match.
  2. 2nd T20I: Sri Lanka leveled the series with a 15-run win. Wanindu Hasaranga’s 3/18 proved decisive in defending a modest total.
  3. 3rd T20I: Sri Lanka clinched the series with a 6-wicket victory. Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten 52 anchored the chase, highlighting Sri Lanka’s composure under pressure.

Key Takeaways in the Timeline

The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline highlights two contrasting narratives:

  1. Afghanistan’s Potential: Their historic World Cup victory and fearless cricketing approach underline their rapid ascent in international cricket.
  2. Sri Lanka’s Consistency: Dominant performances in series like February 2024 showcase Sri Lanka’s ability to assert their superiority despite emerging challenges.

This rivalry continues to grow, promising more thrilling encounters that reflect the evolving landscape of international cricket.

Conclusion

The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline showcases a captivating rivalry filled with competitive spirit and mutual respect. With Afghanistan rising as a formidable opponent and Sri Lanka continuing to adapt and innovate, this rivalry is set to provide more thrilling matches in the future. As both teams evolve, fans can expect even greater intensity and drama in their clashes.