Twitter Reactions: Ibrahim Zadran's 98 powers Afghanistan to comfortable win over Sri Lanka in first ODI

The first ODI of the three-match series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan got underway on Friday, June 2 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi called it correctly at the toss and invited the hosts to bat first.

The decision was vindicated by Fazalhaq Farooqi who got rid of Dimuth Karunaratne in the third over. Farooqi further dismissed Kusal Mendis in the ninth over to give second blow to the hosts. Afghanistan further tightened their grip on the game with the big wicket of Angelo Mathews (12 off 21) and well-set Pathum Nissanka (38 off 59).

With Sri Lanka reeling at 84/4 after 19.2 overs, Charith Asalanka (91 off 95) and Dhananjaya de Silva (51 off 59) got together for a 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The partnership was ended by Mohammad Nabi who cleaned up de Silva in the 38^th over. Captain Dasun Shanaka departed cheaply after scoring (17 off 16) losing his stumps against Noor Ahmad.

A 48-run stand between Dushan Hemantha (22 off 20) and Asalanka for the seventh wicket took the total past 250. Asalanka failed to complete his hundred as he got involved in an unfortunate run out in the last over. As a result, Sri Lanka got bundled out for 268 in their allotted 50 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/58, 9 overs) and Fareed Ahmad (2/43, 8 overs) were the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan.

In reply, Afghanistan lost their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz early in the innings. However, Ibrahim Zadran  (98 off 98) and Rahmat Shah (55 off 80) put on a massive 146-run stand for the second wicket off 149 balls to bring their side into the driving seat. The partnership was ended with Zadran’s dismissal who fell short of his hundred getting out for 98 against Kasun Rajitha.

Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi provided the finishing touch to the innings

Hashmatullah Shahidi (38 off 47) and Mohammad Nabi (27* off 28) made sure there were no hiccups in the chase and managed to chase down the target of 269 in 46.5 overs. Kasun Rajitha was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka as he picked up 2/49 in ten overs. Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Afghanistan's victory.

Here are some of the Tweets from the thrilling first ODI between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan:

21-year old Ibrahim Zadran against Sri Lanka in ODIs:

106(120).
10(18).
162(138).
98(98).

4 innings, 376 runs, 94 average, 2 Hundred, 1 fifty - What a player, The Star of Afghanistan cricket. pic.twitter.com/a94Dr7X01F

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023

21-year old Ibrahim Zadran against Sri Lanka in ODIs:

106(120).
10(18).
162(138).
98(98).

4 innings, 376 runs, 94 average, 2 Hundred, 1 fifty - What a player, The Star of Afghanistan cricket. pic.twitter.com/a94Dr7X01F

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023

21-year old Ibrahim Zadran against Sri Lanka in ODIs:

106(120).
10(18).
162(138).
98(98).

4 innings, 376 runs, 94 average, 2 Hundred, 1 fifty - What a player, The Star of Afghanistan cricket. pic.twitter.com/a94Dr7X01F

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023

Rashid Khan-less Afghanistan have beaten Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI at Hambantota by six wickets, excellent cricket.

Ibrahim Zadran is an exceptional talent at 21 years of age. He scored 98 today, missed out on his fourth ODI hundred in just nine innings in career. #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/Lz3XM4xgkT

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) June 2, 2023

Rashid Khan-less Afghanistan have beaten Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI at Hambantota by six wickets, excellent cricket.

Ibrahim Zadran is an exceptional talent at 21 years of age. He scored 98 today, missed out on his fourth ODI hundred in just nine innings in career. #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/Lz3XM4xgkT

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) June 2, 2023

The pillar of @ACBofficials top order, an absolute treat watching @IZadran18 bring up his half century. His 50-100 conversion rate is 💯 he is now on 75* off 62.#SLvAFG #AfghanAtalan #AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/pzHoYheFyK

— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) June 2, 2023

The pillar of @ACBofficials top order, an absolute treat watching @IZadran18 bring up his half century. His 50-100 conversion rate is 💯 he is now on 75* off 62.#SLvAFG #AfghanAtalan #AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/pzHoYheFyK

— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) June 2, 2023

The journey begins today... preparation before the all important Qualifiers .. its tricky but if @OfficialSLC plays to potential we will be there in October #WorldCup2023 #SLvafg Good luck all 🙂

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 2, 2023

A well controlled innings from @ACBofficials ‘s most reliable batter @IZadran18 comes to an end. Well played zwana 👏🏻👏🏻#SLvAFG #AfghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/UuHCh4gltK

— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) June 2, 2023

Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka in 1st ODI by 6 wickets. 👏💯
Well played @IZadran18 98, @RahmatShah_08 55🙌🫡
Mubarak to all Afghans 🎉🎉🪅
Good luck in future matches ⭐️@ACBofficials #SLvAFG #AfghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/n8FnUNJ14i

— Hassib Haidar🇦🇫 (@hassib_haidar) June 2, 2023

کرکټ بریا مو مبارک شه
A brilliant performance by Afghanistan 🙌

They take a 1-0 series lead after winning the first ODI in Hambantota!#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/vIq7Je1JvT

— 𝐐 𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡 |𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐡𝐢𝐥⭐ (@HikmatAmarkhill) June 2, 2023

یو برکت!
لمړۍ بریا مو مبارک شه.#SLvAFG #afghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/1R9mRMqU6U

— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) June 2, 2023

I feel sorry for this kid Pathirana. He looks so tense when playing ODI. His bowling action makes him tired. @OfficialSLC should take @msdhoni's advice seriously. He should stick to T20. Stop doing experiments on him. #SLvAFG

— Rene Mag (Hiatus) (@Magritte24Rene) June 2, 2023

Afghanistan won the 1st ODI match against the Lankan team. 👏 #SLvAFG

— Asim Gorsi 🇵🇰 (@asimgorsi10) June 2, 2023

Afganistan defeated Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka deserved this for benching their only player who can bat and who can bowl (Chamika Karunaratne).#SLvAFG

— Cric Top Class (@crictopclass) June 2, 2023