Dasun Shanaka rues lack of partnerships after Sri Lanka lose to Afghanistan in 1st ODI: We couldn’t convert starts

Sri Lanka, on Friday, November 25, lost to Afghanistan by 60 runs in the first game of the three-match ODI series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

We couldn’t convert starts: Shanaka rues lack of partnerships after SL lose 1st ODI. Courtesy AFP

By India Today Web Desk: Skipper Dasun Shanaka didn’t mince words in saying that Sri Lanka lost to Afghanistan in the first ODI due to lack of enough partnerships. On Friday, November 25, the Islanders faced a 60-run defeat against the Afghans at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

After being asked to chase down 295, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 234 in 38 overs. Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga scored 85 and 66 respectively, but they didn’t get much support from the others.

Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed both Nissanka and Hasaranga as the Afghans took a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Shanaka also said that Sri Lanka failed to put the brakes on the opposition batting in the middle overs.

“It’s disappointing. We didn’t execute our plans in bowling. 290-plus on this surface, it’s good pitch but still, we could have done better. The surface was good, we scored 230-odd in 38 overs but just didn’t have partnerships at all. We didn’t control well with the ball in the middle overs but did well at the death,” Shanaka was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan put up a score of 294 for the loss of eight wickets. Ibrahim Zadran, who also won the Player of the Match award, scored 106 off 120 with 11 fours before Maheesh Theekshana removed him.

Zadran stitched together a 118-run stand with Rahmat Shah, who scored 52 runs off 64 balls with two fours.

“Difference between the two sides was the partnerships. Their side batted around Ibrahim and had three partnerships. We had starts but couldn’t convert it. We have to win three out of five games (for WC qualification) and we’re looking forward to that,” he added.

The second ODI is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 27 in Pallekele.