Afghanistan A vs Sri Lanka A: Tri-Nation Series 2025 Highlights | Afghan Batters Struggle Early

Afghanistan A vs Sri Lanka A: A Tough Test for Afghan Abdalyan in Tri-Nation Series 2025

The ongoing Tri-Nation Series 2025 in the UAE has been nothing short of a thrilling platform for emerging cricketers from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Ireland. The latest clash between Afghanistan A (Afghan Abdalyan) and Sri Lanka A at the iconic Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi turned out to be a challenging encounter for the Afghans, as early wickets pegged them back heavily in their first innings.

Afghanistan A’s Struggle Against Sri Lanka A’s Disciplined Bowling Attack

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan A had a nightmare start. Within just the first three overs, they found themselves reeling at 4/3 a scoreline that no batting side wants to witness, especially in a crucial game of an international series like the Tri-Nation Series 2025.

Openers Zubaid Akbari and Abdul Malik failed to provide a solid foundation. Akbari was dismissed for a duck, caught by Dushan Hemantha off Dilshan Madushanka’s sharp delivery. Moments later, Abdul Malik fell lbw to Mohamed Shiraz without troubling the scorers. Sediqullah Atal, the vice-captain known for his aggressive stroke-play, was the next to go, managing just one run.

From a position of serious concern at 4/3, it was left to captain Darwish Rasooli and wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil to steady the sinking ship.

Darwish Rasooli and Ikram Alikhil Lead a Rescue Mission

Captain Darwish Rasooli showed why he is rated so highly in Afghan cricket circles. His calm presence under pressure was vital. Rasooli scored 15 off 14 balls, including two much-needed boundaries. Alongside him, Ikram Alikhil adopted a more cautious approach, focusing on building a partnership to revive their innings.

By the end of the fifth over, Afghanistan A managed to crawl their way to 16/3 still in troubled waters but surviving the fiery new-ball spell from Sri Lanka A's disciplined bowling unit.

Sri Lanka A’s Bowlers Dominate Early Overs

Much credit must go to Sri Lanka A’s new-ball pair, Dilshan Madushanka and Mohamed Shiraz. They bowled with accuracy, pace, and a clear plan to exploit any early movement in the UAE conditions.

Madushanka's figures at that point were outstanding 3 overs, 1 maiden, 9 runs, and 2 wickets reflecting his ability to both contain and strike. Meanwhile, Shiraz produced an equally impressive spell, conceding just 7 runs in his 2 overs with one vital wicket and a maiden to his name.

Their aggressive approach put the Afghan batters under pressure, setting the tone for the rest of the innings.

Afghanistan A: Searching for Stability in Their First Series Game

This match was particularly important for Afghanistan A as it marked their first appearance in the Tri-Nation Series 2025. Facing a Sri Lanka A side that already had a victory under their belt against Ireland A, the Afghan team knew they were up against a settled and confident opponent.

The Tri-Nation Series, hosted in the UAE, is serving as an excellent platform for nurturing future stars of international cricket. It provides a rare opportunity for players like Rasooli, Alikhil, and Sediqullah Atal to compete against high-quality opposition and learn to handle pressure situations a valuable experience for their growth.

Sri Lanka A Continue to Impress in Tri-Nation Series 2025

Sri Lanka A’s performance against Afghanistan A is just another example of their growing strength in limited-overs cricket. After defeating Ireland A in their opening match, the Lankan outfit, led by some experienced campaigners and exciting young talents, looked determined to keep their winning momentum going.

The early dominance with the ball has shown that their bowlers are not just about pace or spin but are smart operators capable of reading the conditions and executing plans perfectly.

Afghanistan A Look to Bounce Back Stronger

Although Afghanistan A had a poor start, the rest of the innings and their bowling performance would be crucial to see if they could claw their way back into the game. The experience from this outing, especially against a quality bowling attack, will serve them well in future matches of the Tri-Nation Series 2025.

For players like Rasooli and Alikhil, the goal remains to convert starts into big scores and show their ability to anchor the innings under testing conditions.