Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan 2nd ODI Live Score: Sri Lanka won by 155 runs over Afghanistan.

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Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in the 2nd One Day International (ODI), Sri Lanka emerged victorious by a convincing margin of 155 runs.

Afghanistan needed to chase a total of 309 in the cricket match. They were doing well with a 97-run partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah. However, once Asitha Fernando got Ibrahim out, Afghanistan's innings fell apart and they lost the next eight wickets for just 25 runs. Sri Lanka ended their innings in the 34th over.

Afghanistan usually takes its time to chase large totals, and that was also their strategy in this match. Neither Rahmanullah Gurbaz nor Ibrahim went for big shots early on, mainly because of the tight bowling by the Sri Lankan seamers. Asitha Fernando got Gurbaz out for just 8 runs off 20 balls with a delivery that seamed away and caught the edge of the bat.

Ibrahim and Rahmat were the only ones who managed to form a successful partnership during the innings. However, they too struggled to keep up with the required rate. When Ibrahim got out in the 27th over, the required rate went above 7.5 an over, which was still achievable. But Hasaranga took two wickets in just one over. He first dismissed Rahmat's leg before with a googly and then bowled Hashmatullah Shahidi through the gate after he failed to get to the pitch of a leg break. That's when things started to fall apart for the team.

The Sri Lanka vice-captain played a key role in two important partnerships. First, he and Janith Liyanage (50) added 111 runs off 98 balls for the fifth wicket. Then, he formed a 50-run partnership with Hasaranga for the sixth wicket, off 32 balls. In the last 10 overs, Asalanka scored 62 runs in 35 balls, finishing unbeaten on 97, which he hit off 74 balls with nine fours and two sixes.

Sri Lanka had a poor start, losing the openers with only 36 runs on the board. Fernando managed to provide the much-needed breakthrough for his side. The ball was shorter and outside off, and Zadran attempted to cut it, but it went off the outside edge and was taken by the keeper. This partnership was progressing well, so it was a good wicket for Fernando.

That is very nicely played. Short and on middle, this is pulled hard through square leg and it races away to the fence. Top shot. Runs flowing now.

A boundary to get off the mark. Around off, on a length. Shah looks to defend, this goes off the outside edge and down to the third-man fence.

 Asitha Fernando to Ibrahim Zadran, OUT! TAKEN! Fernando does it again. He provides the breakthrough for his side. Much needed. Short and down the leg side. Zadran looks to pull but this goes off the glove and it is taken by the keeper. Not a great delivery but gets the wicket. 

Wanindu Hasaranga to Rahmat Shah, Half an appeal but nothing was done. The googly, it lands outside off and spins back in. Shah looks to push it on the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Janith Liyanage to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Finds the fence. That will release the pressure a little. On off, this is punched last mid-off and this races away to the fence.

Mahesh Theekshana to Rahmat Shah, A loud shout, and the finger is raised. That seems out. A review but it seems more in hope. NOT OUT! It is going down the leg, That comes as a shock! Tossed up around off, this lands and spins back in. Rahmat Shah looks to play the slog sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. That is turning too much.

Pramod Madushan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! Nicely played in the end and that is the first boundary! He makes room and Gurbaz is followed. This is worked through square leg and this races away to the fence.

The host won the tour’s sole Test by 10 wickets. The current series will be followed by three T20 matches, all in Dambulla

Afghanistan began well with the ball but in the middle overs, the likes of Naib and the two wrist spinners weren't up to the mark. They leaked runs and allowed all the early pressure to be released. The visitors did not finish well too as they gave a lot of runs toward the end. Still, though, they managed to score a lot more than what they are chasing today in the first game but it will be interesting to see how the wicket plays. Lanka on the other hand, will back itself to defend this. Join us for the chase in a bit. 

The Player of the Match award went to the standout performer from the Sri Lankan side, the centurion who played a pivotal role in setting up the imposing total. The post-match presentations acknowledged the contributions of both teams

Sri Lanka: - Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (C/WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan.

Afghanistan : - Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad.