Sri Lanka are currently in a three-match ODI series against New Zealand. In the first game, Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and decided to bat first, which proved to be correct. In this game, Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis performed well. These players achieved great results and managed to impress with the way they batted.
Sri Lanka team emerges from crisis
Sri Lanka got off to a very bad start. When young batsman Pathum Nissanka returned to the pavilion after scoring just 12 runs. After this, Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis took the scoring responsibility. The two players collaborated to score 206 runs for the second wicket. Avishka scored 100 points and Mendis scored 143 points to help the team get out of trouble. Kusal Mendis has been performing well for Sri Lanka in all three formats for some time now. Once he reaches the crease, it will be difficult for any bowler to bowl him out.
Jayawardene and Jayasuriya equalized
Both players repeated their 23-year-old feat with the help of outstanding centuries. This is the second time in ODI cricket that two Sri Lanka batsmen have scored hundreds in an ODI against New Zealand. Earlier in 2001, Sanath Jayasuriya (107) and Mahela Jayawardene (116) batted for Sri Lanka in an ODI against New Zealand Scored centuries of goals. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis are now equal to these players.
Kusal Mendis creates miracles
After an innings of 143 runs, Kusal Mendis became Sri Lanka’s second highest-scoring wicketkeeper in ODIs. The top-ranked batsman is veteran Kumar Sangakkara, who scored an innings of 169 against South Africa in 2013.
List of wicketkeepers who have played the most innings in Sri Lanka ODIs:
169 – Kumar Sangakkara, 2013
143 – Kusal Mendis, 2024
138* – Kumar Sangakkara, 2005
134* – Kumar Sangakkara, 2013
Thanks to the help of Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka have scored 293 runs in 46 matches so far. Captain Charith Asalanka came at the crease after scoring 26 runs and Zenith Liyanage scored 1 run. Jacob Duffy took 2 wickets for New Zealand. While Ish Sodhi and Glenn Phillips took the wickets in a score of 1-1.
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