Twitter Reactions: Kusal Mendis, spinners stand tall in Sri Lanka's merciless display against Afghanistan in Hambantota

The second game of the three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka got underway on Sunday, June 4, at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. After getting beaten in the first ODI, the hosts had a chance to make a comeback as captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat first. 

Sri Lanka got off to a great start as openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne added 82 runs for the first wicket off 95 balls. Their partnership was broken by Mohammad Nabi, who trapped Nissanka (43 off 56) in front of the stumps to give Sri Lanka their first blow. Karunaratne also departed shortly after completing his half-century (52 off 62).  Following his dismissal, Kusal Mendis (78 off 75) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (44 off 46) got involved in an 88-run stand for the third wicket to keep their team in the ascendancy.

Their partnership was broken by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who destroyed Samarawickrama’s stumps. Mendis was also dismissed in the 44^th over as Sri Lanka were 254/5. Later in the innings, cameos from Dhananjaya de Silva (29* off 24), Dasun Shanaka (23 off 13) and Wanindu Hasaranga (29* off 12) took Sri Lanka to 323/6 in their allotted 50 overs.

Fareed Ahmad (2/61, 9 overs) and Mohammad Nabi (2/52, 10 overs) picked up two wickets each for Afghanistan. In reply, Afghanistan lost the wicket of their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the fourth over as he got dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera. Rahmat Shah looked in good touch; however, he got dismissed by captain Shanaka for 36 off 42 balls, giving Sri Lanka their second blow.

Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva picked three wickets each

Ibrahim Zadran (54 off 75) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (57 off 62) got involved in an 84-run stand for the third wicket to stabilize the innings. However, they both lost their wickets trying to up the ante with the required run rate getting out of hand. After the end of their partnership, Afghanistan's batting lineup suffered a collapse and were bundled out for 191 handing a massive 132-run win to Sri Lanka. 

Wanindu Hasaranga (3/42, 9 overs) and Dhananjaya de Silva (3/39, 10 overs) picked up three wickets each for Sri Lanka. With the series tied 1-1, the two teams will once again lock horns in the third ODI on Wednesday, June 7. Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Sri Lanka’s emphatic win in the second ODI. 

Here are some of the Tweets:

Great effort by Sri Lanka to get back into the series

Interested to see what XI they go with in the 3rd and final game of the series@prad_nava seemed to be able to call the batting tactics perfectly today #SLvAFG 🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰

— Mark Machado (@MarkMachado) June 4, 2023

✅ 2019/06/04
✅ 2023/06/04

Only twice, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 have played an ODI match on June 04.

Both against Afghanistan
Both matches won#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/ooXcmMxI53

— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) June 4, 2023

Wonderful all-round performances by DDS. He bowled far better than main two spinners 👏👏#SLvAFG

— Kavinda Uthsuka (@kavindauthuka9) June 4, 2023

Hasaranga in IPL 2023 & today #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/JDx4FeCq3T

— Nusree 🏏 (@Nusree_mhd) June 4, 2023

What a Comeback after Injury by Dushi

One of the sucess stories of 🇱🇰 Fast bowling in Recent years 🔥#SLvAFG #Cricket #CricketTwitter #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/VkqcnZITPR

— Harshana  (@hash_lk) June 4, 2023

DDS & Chameera do the trick for #SriLanka #SLvAFG

— Loshan - ARVLOSHAN (@ARVLoshan) June 4, 2023

DDS. What an Asset. #SLvAFG

— Haridh_KL (@HaridhKll) June 4, 2023

DDS has developed in to a fine limited over bowler. Love the way he varies his speed. 👏👏#SLvAFG

— Wolvi® (@KingWolvi) June 4, 2023

A comfortable victory for Sri Lanka over @ACBofficials as they set up the series decider. A great come back by @OfficialSLC #SLvAFG #AfghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/VdielMUUMf

— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) June 4, 2023