By Srian Obeyesekee

Sri Lanka A started their 5-match ODI series versus Afghanistan on a triumphant note winning the opener by 8 runs on the DLS method on Sunday at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Put into bat, the Lankans ran up 304 for 8 with Nuwanidu Fernando top scoring with 83 off 67 balls (8×4, 2×6) followed by opening batsman Nishan Madushka 72 off 82 (7×4) and Kamil Mishara 48 off 56 (4×4).

Afghanistan A made a bold chase after a revised 286 off 48 overs with inclement weather setting in anchored by opening batsman Riaz Hassan who struck a century – 100 off 115 balls inclusive of 10 boundaries and a six, and Darwish Rasooli 75 off 70 (7×4, 1×6). But the Lankan bowlers did well to putting the brakes down the line with skipper Sahan Arachchige claiming 3 wickets for 40 from his 10 overs.

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka A 304/8 (50 Overs)

(Nuwanidu Fernando 83, Nishan Madushka 72, Kamil Mishara 48, Lahiru Udara 17,

Dushan Hemantha 20, Sahan Arachchige 18, Pavan Rathnayake 10, Bilal Sami 4/61, Mohammad Saleem 3/63, Qais Ahmad 1/53).

Afghanistan A 277/7 (48 Overs) Revised DLS

(Riaz Hassan 100, Darwish Rasooli 75, Qais Ahmad 28, Shahidullah 20, Farmanullah n.o. 20,

Ikram Alikhil 13, Sahan Arachchige 3/40, Mohamed Shiraz 1/29, Dushan Hemantha 1/41, Chamika Karunaratne 1/49, /Chamika Gunasekara 1/77)