Head coach Jonathan Trott unsure of Rashid Khan's availability for series decider vs Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka levelled the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan on Sunday, June 4, as they beat the visitors by 132 runs in the second ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. After opting to bat first, the hosts posted a huge total of 323/6 in the first innings, riding on a splendid knock from Kusal Mendis (78 off 75). In reply, Afghanistan were bundled out for 191 as Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva picked up three wickets each.

After a massive loss, Afghanistan will have to regroup quickly as they aim to complete a historic series win in the third ODI on June 7. However, ahead of the must-win encounter, there’s some bad news for the visitors as they’re unsure about their star spinner Rashid Khan’s participation in the series decider. Head Coach Jonathan Trott said that the management will take a decision on fielding him after assessing his condition ahead of the third ODI.

"We will just check and see on his fitness and see how his back's feeling and then you will know when the team is announced on Wednesday," Trott was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Notably, Rashid was ruled out of the first two games of the series due to a back issue. The wrist-spinner was in sensational form in the recently concluded IPL 2023 where he finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 27 scalps to his name. He also scored 130 runs at an average of 32.50 and a strike rate of 216.66.

Further talking about the defeat, Trott said that the team didn’t start with the ball and gave away too many runs at the death.

"I think we didn't start well enough with the ball and throughout the middle overs we were consistent enough and obviously they have got in the last 10 overs 109 runs and so that's not great," he said.

Coming back to the match, Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka (43 off 56) and Dimuth Karunaratne (52 off 62) put on 82 runs for the first wicket. After the terrific opening stand, Kusal Mendis (78 off 75) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (44 off 46) took their team to a massive total of 323/6.

Afghanistan failed to keep up with the required run rate in the chase

In reply, Afghanistan lost the wicket of their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (2 off 12) in the fourth over as he got dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera. Following his dismissal, good knocks from Ibrahim Zadran (54 off 75), Rahmat Shah (36 off 42), and Hashmatullah Shahidi (57 off 62) took their team to 144/2 after 30 overs. However, they failed to keep up with the climbing required run rate.

This triggered a collapse for the visitors as they got bundled for 191. As a result, Sri Lanka won the match and tied the series 1-1. The final ODI is scheduled to be played on Wednesday, June 7, at the same venue.