Hashmatullah Shahidi: (What went wrong) Our fielding and the way we bowled the last few overs. It sometimes happens. Everyone is trying their best but sometimes, it does not go according to the plan. The batting line-up is improving day by day and we will try to come back stronger. (On the toss) I think the pitch was not very difficult in the second innings also. 30 extra runs that Sri Lanka made against us meant that the pressure was on us and that was the main point. Hopefully we will have him (Rashid Khan) available in the next match.
Dasun Shanaka: (Difference between this game and the first ODI) To be honest, our approach was the same. To play with positive intent is the main goal. The wicket today was better – the ball was not swinging and it was coming onto the bat. We knew with the partnerships we had, we were going to score big today. Toss is important as well but at the end of the day, the toss does not define whether we would win or lose. It is the skills that make it happen. (On batting in the death overs) We did not play on these type of pitches – here, it is different, so, credit must go to the ground staff as well.
Our top four fired today and this is the way we should bat. Wanindu and myself ended well. (On Chameera) He is bowling with that intent and he has the skills to play white-ball cricket, and that is what is most important. At any time, we should have a player like that in our team. (On possible changes for the last ODI) It is totally up to the selectors, the coach and myself. We need to win the series before going into the qualifiers. We are trying different things and we are yet to decide (on the combination).
Dhananjaya de Silva, Player of the Match: (On his role) Last series we played in Sri Lanka, I was batting up the order. I am enjoying (this new role). When I am bowling, my role is to support Wanindu and Maheesh and to keep the batters under pressure. (On the pitch) It is getting slower and slower.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Highlights today. 2nd ODI, Sunday 4-6-2023, Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2023, Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.
Sri Lanka, elected to bat first.
Sri Lanka team: Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha
Afghanistan team: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Malik
Head to Head In ODI’s: 8
Sri Lanka Won: 4
Afghanistan Won: 3
Sri Lanka ODI Rankings: 9th
Afghanistan ODI Rankings: 8th
Form guide
(Last five matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLLL
Afghanistan WLWWW
Match Timings: 4:00 AM GMT | 9:30 AM Local
Umpires – Lyndon Hannibal, Michael Gough
TV Umpire – Nitin Menon
Match Referee – Ranjan Madugalle
Reserve Umpire – Ruchira Palliyaguruge
Match number – ODI no. 4580
