Sri Lanka managed to open their account with a much needed 2 points by rattling Afghans for 152, recording a 34-run victory at Cardiff after an embarrassing defeat by 10 wickets at hands of the Kiwis in their first match of the ICC World Cup 2019.
Photo Album – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan | ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – Match 07
#AFGvSL | Sri Lanka are officially off the mark at #CWC19!
Videos, photos & more ? https://t.co/ttyq3GVFhT pic.twitter.com/2nwMrhQhud
— ThePapare.com (@ThePapareSports) 4 June 2019
Read: Pradeep, Malinga see off Afghan charge
The match was definitely a roller-coaster ride for Sri Lankans. When Kusal Perera was just flaying the Afghanistan attack all over the park and cantering through, everyone would have thought this is going to be one of those innings; a rare Sri Lankan 300+.
But this team did what they do so often; collapse spectacularly, from 1-144 to 201 all-out. The anger that burned through every Sri Lankan fan’s flesh wasn’t diminished by the cold drops from the heavens in Cardiff. Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad’s early charge at the experienced Sri Lanka pace double didn’t help either.
#AFGvSL | Just when you thought Sri Lanka was going to have a rare good day with the bat ?♂️
More photos – https://t.co/0dnzszTp0u pic.twitter.com/9sJ14tmf3c
— ThePapare.com (@ThePapareSports) 4 June 2019
But somehow, through Nuwan Pradeep’s heartening spell of bowling and warrior Lasith Malinga’s last roar after his Yorker to Hamid Hassan, the Sri Lankans have had one of the best feelings, a rare moment when they enjoy watching cricket.
That feeling when you get your first win of #CWC19#LionsRoar pic.twitter.com/grRhfCb3ly
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) 4 June 2019
Watch: Video – Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka | CWC19 Match 7 Highlights
After the exciting win for Sri Lanka, former World Cup legend, Mahela Jayawardene couldn’t help but praise Nuwan Pradeep on social media.
Well done boys!!! room for improvment but showed under presure that we do have quality. Bowling unit was excellent and Nuwan pradeep was outstanding today..? points on the board ?
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) 4 June 2019
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth himself put out a post on twitter appreciating everyone’s efforts.
Phew what a game of Cricket that was ! KJP got the show on the road and the 5 quicks wow top stuff specially Nuwan and Mali done a great job.Brilliant fielding which is encouraging going forward.#CWC19 #LionsRoar
— Dimuth Karunaratne (@IamDimuth) 4 June 2019
The voice behind the mic for Sri Lanka, Russel Arnold as dramatic as ever, couldn’t believe what was going on when the Sri Lankan batting was failing, but recovered after the victory.
Oh Dear …. #CWC2019 #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/b3wXWtO3DZ
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) 4 June 2019
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) 4 June 2019
Past and present cricketers, commentators, journalists have all credited both sides performances today, after an enthralling game.
Congratulations to @IamDimuth and whole @OfficialSLC team for the victory. Great innings by @KusalJPerera excellent bowling by Nuwan Pradeep and at the end our champion bowler @Lasith99Malinga was at his best. ???? Keep going boys. Let’s now focus the next one.????
— Kaushal (@SilvaKaushal) 4 June 2019
Well……Oh Afghanistan! Much needed cheer for Sri Lanka. Hope they remain strong at #CWC2019 https://t.co/vdk5AOFVuj
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 4 June 2019
Afghanistan promised so much with their fantastic bowling in the first half , especially after the great start Sri Lanka had. But couldn’t quite finish the job while batting. Well done to Sri Lanka on a good win ! #AFGvSL
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) 4 June 2019
Congratulations to the Sri Lankan Cricket team. Winning the first match in this tournament. Its so good to have the winning feeling back in the game. Well done. #CWC2019 #SLvsAFG
— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) 4 June 2019
