SL vs AFG: Angelo Mathews gets hit wicket just before stumps on Day 2

In what turned out to be a captivating Day 2 of the one-off Test clash between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, the host dominated the day at Singhalese Sports Club. Sri Lanka, brimming with optimism after a fruitful Day 1, encountered a rocky start losing three early wickets. However, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal masterminded a remarkable recovery with a splendid partnership. The limelight, though, veered towards an unfortunate incident concerning Mathews.

As the day drew to a close, Mathews, batting brilliantly on 141 runs off 258 deliveries, fell victim to an unusual dismissal-hit wicket. Eager to sign off the day with a flourish and capitalize on the loose delivery, he attempted a forceful pull shot against Qais Ahmad’s delivery that pitched outside the leg stump. However, in an unexpected turn, he lost control of his bat swing, inadvertently hitting the stumps with his bat, thus ending his sublime innings.

Here’s the video of Angelo Mathews’ dismissal:

Sri Lanka in a commanding position against Afghanistan

Centuries from Mathews and Chandimal bolstered Sri Lanka’s commanding position on Day 2. Despite starting with a deficit of 118 runs, Sri Lanka finished the day at 410 for 6, establishing a 212-run lead over Afghanistan, who struggled to make significant breakthroughs throughout the day. Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Naveed Zadran and Nijat Masood, initially posed a threat by dismissing Sri Lanka’s top order.

Naveed claimed the wicket of Nishan Madushka caught at leg slip early in the morning, while Masood’s bouncer accounted for Kusal Mendis. The bouncer emerged as a potent weapon for the Afghanistan seamers against the Sri Lankan batters. Despite the setbacks, Dimuth Karunaratne showcased his skillset and scored swiftly as he notched his 35th fifty. His adeptness on the leg-side was evident as he raced to 77 runs before a misjudgement led to his dismissal, clipping a full toss from Qais to short midwicket.