SLA vs AFGA | Samarawickrama’s Century Leads Six-Wicket Win in Tri-Series

Sadeera Samarawickrama’s Masterclass Powers Sri Lanka A to Emphatic Win Over Afghanistan A

Summary
Sri Lanka A continued their strong start in the 2025 Tri-Nation Series in the UAE with a comprehensive six-wicket win over Afghanistan A at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Chasing 249, skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama led from the front with a breathtaking century, scoring 129* off 110 balls. His aggressive yet composed innings neutralized Afghanistan’s early breakthroughs and ensured Sri Lanka A cruised to their target in 41.3 overs. Afghanistan A, despite a gritty ton by Darwish Rasooli, couldn’t recover from a top-order collapse. The match highlighted Sri Lanka’s depth and maturity, particularly in high-pressure situations.

Scorecard

Afghanistan A – 248/8 (50 Overs)
Darwish Rasooli 155 (147), Ijaz Ahmad Azad 35 (65)
Dilshan Madushanka 4/37, Mohamed Shiraz 2/43

Sri Lanka A – 249/4 (41.3 Overs)
Sadeera Samarawickrama 129* (110), Lahiru Udara 81 (83)
Khalil Ahmed 2/15, Qais Ahmad 1/39

Result: Sri Lanka A won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Sadeera Samarawickrama

A Tale of Two Innings: Rasooli’s Resistance vs Samarawickrama’s Brilliance

After winning the toss, Afghanistan A opted to bat first but were immediately under siege from Sri Lanka A’s new-ball bowlers. Within three overs, they were reeling at 4/3, courtesy of a lethal opening burst from Dilshan Madushanka and Mohamed Shiraz. The top order collapsed like dominoes, with Zubaid Akbari, Abdul Malik, and Sediqullah Atal all dismissed for single-digit scores. Afghanistan looked completely out of sorts, and early signs pointed toward a sub-par total.

But skipper Darwish Rasooli had other ideas. Walking in during a crisis, Rasooli unleashed one of the finest knocks of his career. Displaying poise and power, he rebuilt the innings brick by brick. His 155 off 147 balls, featuring 14 fours and 8 sixes, stood as a lone monument of resistance. He was ably supported in parts by Ijaz Ahmad Azad (35 off 65) and Sharafuddin Ashraf (54 off 40), but none could provide sustained support.

In the death overs, Qais Ahmad played a valuable cameo, adding a crucial unbeaten 75-run partnership for the final wickets that propelled the total to 248/8. Madushanka, the pick of the bowlers, ended with impressive figures of 4/37 in his 10 overs, dismantling the middle and lower order with pace and swing.

Sri Lanka A’s Confident Chase Built on a Flawless Captain’s Knock

Sri Lanka A's chase didn’t start smoothly either. They lost Kamil Mishara and Nuwanidu Fernando in quick succession, both falling with just two runs on the board. Afghanistan A sensed an opening, and their hopes were briefly reignited.

But from there on, Sadeera Samarawickrama took charge. Calm yet aggressive, his strokeplay was exquisite, rotating the strike while dispatching loose balls with precision. Partnered with the enterprising Lahiru Udara, who scored a fluent 81 off 83 balls, the duo added a match-defining 163-run partnership for the third wicket.

Once Udara departed, Samarawickrama shifted gears, batting deep into the innings and bringing up his century in just 94 balls. He remained unbeaten on 129 from 110 deliveries, striking 16 boundaries and 2 sixes. His ability to absorb pressure and then counterattack was a blueprint for modern-day ODI chases.

Sahan Arachchige (23 off 40) and Sonal Dinusha ensured there were no late dramas, guiding Sri Lanka A home comfortably with 8.3 overs to spare.

Where It Went Wrong for Afghanistan A

The Afghan bowlers lacked penetration after the early strikes. While Khalil Ahmed and Qais Ahmad tried to apply pressure, they couldn’t build on the momentum of the first two overs. The spinners, who were expected to be influential on a dry Abu Dhabi pitch, couldn’t contain a rampaging Samarawickrama.

Moreover, the lack of meaningful contributions from the top order put too much weight on Rasooli’s shoulders. Even though they posted a respectable 248, it was always going to be challenging against a quality Sri Lankan side.

Looking Ahead in the Tri-Nation Series

This win places Sri Lanka A firmly atop the Tri-Nation Series points table with two wins in two matches. They had earlier defeated Ireland A in the opening match. Meanwhile, Afghanistan A now has one loss from their only game, making their next clash a must-win to stay alive in the tournament.

With the next set of matches lined up at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and pitches expected to get slower, teams might have to revisit their spin options and batting strategies.