Dinesh Chandimal heaps praise on 'fantastic' Afghanistan bowlers

Sri Lanka batter Dinesh Chandimal praised Afghanistan bowlers’ performance in the second innings of the ongoing one-off Test at the Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground.

Sri Lanka bundled out Afghanistan by 198 after winning the toss and bowling first. The hosts then scored a mammoth 439 runs in their first innings. Chandimal played a pivotal role during Sri Lanka's first innings, scoring 107 with the help of ten boundaries and a maximum. He also created a crucial partnership with Angelo Mathews who has scored 141, including 14 fours and three sixes.

"You've got to give a lot of credit to the way the Afghanistan bowlers bowled. They did well through the course of the innings. Even in my partnership with Angelo [Mathews, who made 141], there were times when I supported him, and times when he supported me when I found it difficult," Chandimal was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

"Even though a lot of their bowlers are inexperienced at the international level, they bowled very well. The seamers and the left-arm spinner especially were fantastic. From the morning yesterday until the close of play, their seamers maintained their energy and their body language. They did well to restrict us.” 

Chandimal also spoke about the way Afghanistan seamers bowled and the discipline they carried throughout the day.

"If you take my hundred or Angelo's hundred, there really weren't many balls where we could step forward and drive for four. I'm not sure there was a single driven four off the seamers. They bowled short to us, or bowled good lengths. Right through the day they had discipline," he added.

The 34-year-old further mentioned Hashmatullah Shahidi's comment, where he stated if Afghanistan get the opportunity to play more Tests they can become a more competitive Test nation. Notably, the ongoing match versus Sri Lanka is their eighth game in the longest format of the game.

"What their captain said is right. If they get more opportunities to play Tests, they are a much better team in the next four or five years. They are a challenge for us, and I wish them all the best for their future," Chandimal concluded.