Avishka Fernando’s ton takes Sri Lanka-A to Tri-Nation Series final:Afghanistan thrashed by 103 runs, hosts lock summit clash with India on June 21

With Avishka Fernando’s century, Sri Lanka-A has reached the final of the ODI Tri-Nation Series. The team thrashed Afghanistan-A by 103 runs in Dambulla. The final between India and Sri Lanka will be played on the same ground on June 21. On Friday, Afghanistan-A won the toss and opted to bowl. Sri Lanka-A scored 322/8 in 50 overs. In reply, Afghanistan-A’s team was bowled out for 219 runs in 42.5 overs. Avishka Fernando was the hero of Sri Lanka-A’s victory. He played an innings of 110 runs off 97 balls, including 13 fours and one six. In bowling, Dulaj Samuditha took 5 wickets for 25 runs while Kugathas Mathulan also scalped three. Avishka was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his ton. Dickwella and Avishka laid the foundation for a big total Sri Lanka-A, who came out to bat first after losing the toss, were given a quick start by Niroshan Dickwella and Avishka Fernando. Both of them added 133 runs for the first wicket, putting Afghanistan’s bowlers under pressure. Dickwella scored 66 runs off 54 balls during which he slammed 12 fours. Even after Dickwella’s dismissal, Avishka maintained the scoring rate. He, along with Nuwanidu Fernando (45), formed a 93-run partnership for the second wicket, putting the team in a strong position. Avishka played an innings of 110 runs off 97 balls and was dismissed in the 35th over. Lower order took SL A past the 300 threshold After Avishka’s dismissal, Ravindu Fernando scored 25 runs off 18 balls. Meanwhile, Wanuja Sahan scored 19 runs off 16 balls to boost the team’s score. In the final overs, Afghanistan’s bowlers failed to stop the runs, and Sri Lanka-A posted a big score of 322/8 in 50 overs. Faridoon Dawoodzai was the most successful bowler for Afghanistan. He took 4 wickets for 60 runs in 10 overs. Farmanullah Safi took 3 wickets. Afghanistan Scattered by Samuditha’s Early Blows Chasing a target of 323 runs, Afghanistan-A had a very poor start. Captain Imran Mir was out for a duck on the very first ball. Noor ul Rahman also returned to the pavilion without scoring any runs. Dulaj Samuditha delivered two big blows in the initial overs, pushing Afghanistan onto the back foot. Hasaan Eisakhil held one end and put up a fight. He scored 74 runs off 78 balls and added 75 runs for the fourth wicket with Bahir Shah (35). Both batsmen tried to keep the team in the match, but wickets kept falling. Safi did not get support In the middle order, Farmanullah Safi batted aggressively, scoring 43 runs off 39 balls and raising concerns for Sri Lanka for some time. However, he did not receive significant support from the other end. Samuditha and Mathulan continuously took wickets, ending Afghanistan’s hopes of a comeback. Samuditha took 5 wickets for just 25 runs in 6.5 overs, while Mathulan picked up 3 wickets for 38 runs. The entire Afghanistan-A team was bowled out for 219 runs in 42.5 overs, and Sri Lanka-A registered a 103-run victory.