Sri Lanka Beat Afghanistan By 72 Runs In Second T20I

All-rounder Angelo Mathews starred with a quickfire 42 and two wickets as Sri Lanka secured the three match T20 series against Afghanistan by winning the second match by 72 runs on Monday. SCORECARD S

Sri Lanka Beat Afghanistan By 72 Runs In Second T20I (Image Source: Google)

'Credit to the batters' -

Mathews was involved in a 66-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who posted the only half-century in the game.

Samarawickrama's 51, which came in 42 balls with five fours, is his career best score in this format.

"Credit goes to the batters," captain Wanindu Hasaranga said.

"They batted really well," he added, giving credit to Mathews and Samarawickrama who "finished well to get to a big score".

Mathews then took the new ball and dismissed the openers in his first two overs to put the Afghans on the back foot.

After Maheesh Theekshana trapped Rahmanullah Gurbaz leg before wicket, Binura Fernando claimed two wickets in an over to reduce Afghanistan to 31 for five inside five overs.

With half the side down even before Matheesha Pathirana was introduced to the attack -- Man of the Match in the previous game -- Afghanistan were in deep trouble.

Mohammad Nabi tried to salvage some pride making 27 off 17 balls and adding 39 runs for the sixth wicket with Karim Janat, before Dasun Shanaka in his first over produced the breakthrough.

Karim Janat's 28 runs in 23 balls was the Afghan's top score, and Afghanistan were bowled out for 115 in 17 overs.

One of the highlights of the game was Wanindu Hasaranga accounting for his 100th wicket in T20 internationals, when he cleaned up Najibullah Zadran.

He became the second quickest bowler in the game to the 100-wicket milestone, having got there in 63 games.

Only Lasith Malinga has taken 100 wickets in T-20 Internationals for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka emerged victorious in all three formats in the series as they had won the one-off Test before sweeping the ODI series 3-0.

Sri Lanka won the first of the three-match T20 series by four runs.

Afghanistan are now searching for their first win on the tour, with the third T20 on Wednesday.