Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan: Here are the records broken
Sri Lanka made sure that they learn from the mistakes of the previous game as they beat Afghanistan by 34 runs (D/L) in match number seven of the ICC World Cup 2019 at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Tuesday. This was also Afghanistan's second-consecutive loss of the tournament, while Lanka clinched their opening win in this rain-marred tie. Here are the records broken.
Scoring runs in the mandatory power-play does half of the job for the team batting first. Lanka did exactly the same, scoring 79 in this tie, which was also their highest score in power-play since their ouster in the last ICC World Cup in April 2015. The score is followed by 76 against Bangladesh in 2017 and 76 again against England in 2018.
Afghanistan have conceded the least 100+ opening stands, since the 2015 World Cup, among the teams featuring in this World Cup. They have conceded just three 100+ opening partnerships since the 2015 event in Australia. Truly remarkable!
Fewest aggregate by #4 - #7 in a WC match:
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 4, 2019
2 Net vs Ind Paarl 2003
4 SL vs Afg Cardiff 2019 *
5 SL vs NZ Cardiff 2019
6 Ire vs SL St George's 2007
7 Can vs Eng Manchester 1979#AFGvSL #LionsRoar #AfghanAtalan #CWC19
The faster one scores the runs, the better it is for the team and the player himself. Lankan top-order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne became the third fastest Lankan batsman to score 3,000 ODI runs, in 100 innings. The list is led by Upul Tharanga, who took 92 innings, followed by Marvan Atapattu, who did the same in 94 innings.
Angelo Mathews has now equaled the record of most ducks by a Lankan in the World Cup. He has scored three ducks in the World Cups to date, as he shares the unwanted record with Mahela Jayawardene and Arjuna Ranatunga, who have scored the same.
All-rounder Mohammad Nabi continues to provide Afghanistan with his priceless contributions, especially with the ball, as he registered his best bowling figures in ODIs. Tonight's spell of 4/30 was his best, as he had scripted a similar feat in 2017 against Ireland in Greater Noida. His third best is 4/31 against Canada in 2011 in King City.
Cricket is truly a game of glorious uncertainties, as runs and wickets can come out of nowhere. Lankans, who were going good at 140/1, lost their next nine wickets for just 60 runs today, which was their worst. It is the third worst overall, as the list is led by India (29/9 against South Africa) and Canada (47/9 against West Indies).
The World Cup also sees a number of top wicket-takers, as Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga scripted history by becoming the fifth highest wicket-taker (45 wickets) of the tournament. He is also the third Lankan in the list after Muttiah Muralitharan (68) Chaminda Vaas (49). Australia's Glen McGrath still tops the list with 71 scalps, while Pakistan's Wasim Akram is on the third spot (55).
This is the first win for Sri Lanka at Cardiff out of six ODIs.
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) June 4, 2019
This is also their first win against a full-member team out of last 10 ODIs.#SLvAFG
Winning the toss, Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib invited Lanka to bat first. Following a rain interruption, Lanka came up with a mediocre batting performance and were bundled for 201 in the 41-over tie, while Kusal Perera scored a healthy 78. In reply, the Afghan batsmen too couldn't do much and were bowled out for 152, courtesy the career best spell of Nuwan Pradeep (4/31).
