Rex Clementine at Pallekele
We may have seen cricket’s next biggest sensation as Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran posted a stunning 162 before being dismissed in the last ball of the innings as the tourists posted a commanding 313 in the third ODI against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Stadium yesterday.
No team had successfully chased that many at Pallekele to win an ODI and the hosts will be under huge pressure.
Zadran posted the highest individual score by an Afghan going past Mohammad Shahzad’s 131. It was also Afghanistan’s highest total against Sri Lanka.
There had been huge concerns about Sri Lanka’s fielding and a better effort on the field would have seen Afghanistan being reduced to less than 300. Fielding has been an area that has been a letdown for some time now but very little has been done to address the issue.
Zadran had posted a hundred in the first ODI as well and for someone who was featuring in his eighth game, he looked a mature player. A very organized batsman, the 20-year-old produced some classical shots, and his temperament was outstanding.
Zadran had the aggression of a Ricky Ponting and the elegance of a Rahul Dravid and he certainly will be a player whom we will be talking about a lot in the future.
Zadran’s hundred came off 100 deliveries and from thereon he was cruising as his 162 came off 138 balls with 15 fours and four sixes.
Afghanistan were in a spot of bother as they were reduced to 57 for three. But a 154-run stand for the fourth wicket followed between the two Zadrans – Ibrahim and Najibullah. It’s a new record for Afghanistan for the fourth wicket.
The partnership was broken when captain Dasun Shanaka completed a sharp catch off Wanindu Hasaranga. But Afghanistan were well set at that stage to post a commanding total. Najibullah finished with 77 off 76 balls with eight fours and one six.
Kasun Rajitha continued to impress by claiming three wickets.
Sri Lanka looked to be a side in disarray. As Ibrahim Zadran cleared Wanindu Hasaranga over long-off, the leg-spinner seemed to be upset that the fielder was at mid-off instead of the boundary rope and stormed off the field. He didn’t return to continue bowling and Shanaka had to send down an over from Rikillagaskada End. Eventually he returned and finished with two for 67.
