Asalanka, Wellalage heroics overshadows Ibrahim Zadran’s epic 162

Dunith Wellalage carried a lot of responsibility on his young shoulders to carry Sri Lanka to victory

• Lanka keeps automatic WC ’24 qualification hopes alive
• Squares first-ever bilateral ODI series with Afghanistan 1-all

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Charith Asalanka stole the limelight from Ibrahim Zadran’s epic knock of 162 scoring an unbeaten 83 off 72 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes) and together with young Dunith Wellalage (31* off 21 balls, 4 fours, 1 six), steering Sri Lanka to a record-breaking four-wicket win chasing down an imposing target of 314 with two balls to spare in the third and final ODI played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

It was the highest run chase achieved at this venue and the win saw Sri Lanka share the first ever three-match bilateral ODI series against Afghanistan 1-all with one no result. It also kept Sri Lanka’s thin hopes of gaining automatic qualification for the 2024 World Cup alive, having to win two of their final three ODIs against New Zealand in March.  

When Afghanistan won the toss and put up a total of 313-8, the task seemed a difficult one for Sri Lanka who’s batting had not really clicked during the series. But contributions of 67 off 61 balls (8 fours, 1 six) from Kusal Mendis, 30s from Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal kept them in the hunt even though Afghanistan threatened to put the brakes on the run rate especially through their key spinner Rashid Khan who struck vital blows to finish with figures of 4 for 37.

Sri Lanka’s fightback was first staged by skipper Dasun Shanaka (43 off 44 balls) in partnership with Asalanka that raised 79 for the fifth wicket and then following Wanindu Hasaranga’s dismissal for two at 249-6, Wellalage joined Asalanka and the two produced a noteworthy partnership to carry Sri Lanka to a much-needed win putting together an unbroken stand of 65 off 39 balls.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers were put to the sword by a record-breaking domineering innings of 162 off 138 balls from 20-year-old Ibrahim Zadran, the highest ever made by an Afghan.

Ibrahim’s high impact innings rescued Afghanistan from 57-3 in the 15th over to post the third highest total at Pallekele. Playing only his eighth ODI Ibrahim scored a fantastic century – the third of his career. Ibrahim associated with his namesake (no relation) Najibullah Zadran in a fourth wicket partnership of 154 off 141 balls that simply took the game away from Sri Lanka. 

Najibullah offering excellent support to his senior partner scored a fine 77 off 76 balls (8 fours, 1 six). Despite losing his partner Ibrahim continued to plunder runs against the hapless Sri Lankan bowlers who simply had no answer to his high-quality batting. 

After Kasun Rajitha had given them the upperhand with some disciplined bowling, Sri Lankan bowlers lacked control in the middle overs and allowed Afghanistan some easy pickings. Asalanka took the Player of the Match award and Ibrahim Zadran the Player of the Series award. 

Charith Asalanka stole the limelight from Ibrahim Zadran with a match winning knock of 83

Ibrahim Zadran is all smiles as he brings up his 150 in a career best innings

Najibul Zadran helped Ibrahim Zadran in a partnership of 154 with a quality knock of 77