That is it then from this game and it is the visitors who have the early lead in the three-match series. The next game becomes all the more crucial for both sides as it might prove to be a series-deciding one. The second ODI is on Sunday, 27th November at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT). Do join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghan skipper, says that he is feeling good and praises his boys. Adds that they started well with the bat and admits that they could have closed the innings better. Further says that in the last 7 overs or so they couldn't get the big hits and were 30 runs short. Shares that the plan was to bowl wicket-to-wicket and create pressure by bowling dot balls. 

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says that it's disappointing and feels that they could have bowled well on this pitch. Tells that toss is crucial but it was a good wicket and they didn't get enough partnerships. Adds that in the middle phase, they didn't control the innings but at the death, they bowled well, especially Kasun Rajitha. Mentions that the difference between the two sides is the partnership that Afghanistan got. States that they are looking forward to winning the remaining games and addressing their position on the ICC ODI Super League 2023 table.

Ibrahim Zadran is the Player of the Match for his sublime century! The Afghan opener says that he is very happy with his knock and thanks the Almighty. Tells that they wanted to bat first and the pitch was very good for batting. Shares that he took his time and that's why he played well. Feels that the pitch didn't change much, even in the second innings, and mentions that he passed on the message to his team that they should target 320. Praises his bowlers for a fantastic performance.

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Earlier in the day, Afghanistan batted with a lot of control. They adopted the old-school style to build their innings with the aim to go big in the last 10 overs. The Afghans did score 81 runs but also lost 6 wickets in the process, which hampered their charge and stopped them from crossing the psychological 300-run mark. In the end, whatever runs they put on the board turned out to be enough.

As mentioned, Afghanistan bowled superbly in every phase of the chase. By picking regular wickets, they kept a strong hand on the game and despite runs coming thick and fast for Sri Lanka, the tourists always were ahead. Gulbadin Naib picked up three crucial middle-order wickets and that dented Sri Lanka's hopes of staging a comeback. Fazalhaq Farooqi was once again brilliant and went through the defenses of four batters.

Chasing a target of 295 was not too tough on this batting-friendly surface but by losing wickets at regular intervals, Sri Lanka shot themselves on the foot. Pathum Nissanka was the only top-order batter to fight with some fluency and then Wanindu Hasaranga displayed his skills with the bat to scare the Afghans. He eventually ran out of partners, and was the final batter to get dismissed.

A convincing win for Afghanistan to take a lead in the series but more importantly, the Afghans gain 10 crucial points for ICC ODI Super League 2023. It was a neat and tidy effort from their bowlers right from the start and not for a moment, they allowed the intensity to go down in the field. 

Lahiru Kumara is the last man in for Sri Lanka.