Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera staged a triumphant return to the team, propelling them to a resounding 132-run victory over Afghanistan at Hambantota on Sunday, thereby leveling the three-match one-day international series.

After setting an impressive target of 324 runs, the Sri Lankan bowlers swiftly dismantled the Afghan batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 191 runs within 43 overs. This commanding win marked Sri Lanka’s largest victory margin in ODIs against Afghanistan.

Chameera, who made a comeback after a seven-month hiatus due to ankle surgery, delivered two hostile spells, culminating in impressive figures of two wickets for 18 runs.

Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, expressed his satisfaction with Chameera’s return, stating, “We are very happy that Chameera is back: injury kept him out for a while but I am glad he is firing on all cylinders. Dimuth Karunaratne is back as well, and he adds more stability to the batting — and obviously, he’s very experienced. These are good signs looking forward to the World Cup qualifiers.”

Following the series, Sri Lanka will embark on a tour to Zimbabwe for the World Cup qualifiers, fueled by the return of their primary strike bowler.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan faces no such concerns as they have already secured qualification for the World Cup scheduled later this year in India.

Chameera’s remarkable performance was complemented by part-time off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva, who claimed three wickets, including Ibrahim Zardan, the hero of the first match.

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga completed the tail-end dismissals, securing three wickets for 42 runs.

Despite Zardan’s contribution of 54 runs, including a top score of 98 in the first ODI, he succumbed under the pressure of the target, edging a cut shot and falling into the hands of Kusal Mendis behind the stumps.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi provided some resistance with a top score of 57 before being dismissed leg before by de Silva. However, the Afghan batsmen faltered thereafter, losing six wickets for just 23 runs.

Reflecting on the match, Captain Shahidi acknowledged the team’s subpar performance, stating, “I don’t think that was our best performance; we were a bit sloppy on the field. We have one more game, and we will try to bounce back.”

In a bid to turn the tide, Sri Lanka made four changes to their lineup after suffering a six-wicket defeat in the first ODI on Friday.

Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka laid a solid foundation, adding 82 runs for the first wicket. Karunaratne, on his comeback trail, scored an impressive 52 off 62 balls.

Kusal Mendis then accelerated the scoring with a remarkable counter-attack, smashing 78 runs off 75 balls, including seven fours and a six.

The partnership between Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, making his return to ODIs after three years, injected much-needed momentum into the innings, adding 88 runs in 86 balls.

Sri Lanka’s lower middle order played a pivotal role in the team’s total of 323 runs, contributing 109 runs in the last ten overs.

Among the Afghan bowlers, Fareed Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi stood out, each taking two wickets.

The third and final ODI of the series is scheduled to take place on June 7, also at Hambantota.

Chameera picked up three wickets in Tuesday’s big win over the United Arab Emirates in Geelong but hobbled off the field after pulling out his run-up when bowling his fourth over.

The 30-year-old, who missed Sri Lanka’s recent Asia Cup triumph with a leg problem, is awaiting scans on the injury and could miss other matches should they qualify for the Super 12. Sri Lanka has already lost left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka, who was ruled out of the tournament with a quadriceps muscle tear and replaced in the squad by Binura Fernando.

Spin-bowling all-rounder Danushka Gunathilaka, who missed the UAE game, and fast bowler Pramod Madushan are also questionable due to hamstring issues. After training in Geelong on Wednesday, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said he expected Gunathilaka would be fine. Madushan was still awaiting the result of a scan, he told reporters.

Shanaka added that multiple players were on stand-by in Sri Lanka to be flown in as injury cover. The unbeaten Netherlands leads Group A on four points, with 2014 champions Sri Lanka third, level on points with second-placed Namibia but behind the Africans on run rate. Namibia plays the winless UAE in the other qualifier in Geelong on Thursday.
The top two sides advance to the Super 12.