Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan’s
three-match ODI series opener started in an exciting fashion, where the Sri
Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka created history by becoming the first Sri Lankan
batter to record an ODI double-century.
Pallekele hosted the ODI series opener on Friday (9 February), where Afghanistan chose to field first after winning the toss. Thanks to the opener Pathum Nissanka’s 210 not out in 139 balls, Sri Lanka scored 381/3 in 50 overs. During that record-breaking batting performance, the right-handed opening batter Nissanka hit 20 fours and eight sixes.
How did Pathum Nissanka complete his first ODI double-century?
- 50 off 31 balls (7x4s; 1x6s)
- 100 off 88 balls (11x4s, 1x6s)
- 150 off 116 balls (14x4s, 4x6s)
- 200 off 136 balls (19x4s, 7x6s)
Sri Lanka won by 42 runs after Afghans’ inspirational fight back
Although Afghanistan were
struggling at 55/5 in the ninth over, twin centurions Azmatullah Omarzai (149*)
and Mohammad Nabi (136) set up the incredible 242 runs partnership for the
sixth wicket to showcase one of the greatest fightbacks in ODI cricket history.
However, Afghanistan finally managed to score 339/6 in 50 overs, as the hosts
Sri Lanka have taken a 1-0 lead in the series by winning the series opener by
42 runs.
Here are some key stats of Pathum Nissanka’s record-breaking ODI double hundred
(First Sri Lankan with ODI 200)
- Pathum Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan batter to hit an ODI double-century. Before his 210 not out, the previous highest ODI score by a Sri Lankan cricketer was 189 by Sanath Jayasuriya (vs India at Sharjah on 29 October 2000).
(3rd fastest ODI 200)
- With his 136-ball 200 runs, Nissanka recorded the third-fastest ODI double-century. Only the Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan (126 balls vs Bangladesh at Chattogram in 2022) and the Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell (128 balls vs Afghanistan at Mumbai in 2023) have recorded the fastest ODI double hundreds than Nissanka.
(3rd youngest ODI 200)
- The 25-year-old (25 years and 267 days) Nissanka became the third youngest cricketer to record an ODI double hundred. The top two youngest batters in this list are the Indian cricketers Shubman Gill (23 years and 132 days) and Ishan Kishan (24 years and 145 days).
(Joint 5th highest ODI score)
- Nissanka’s 210 not out became the joint fifth-highest ODI individual score.
(ODI double-century)
- Nissanka became the 10th batter to record an ODI double-century.
- Nissanka recorded the 12th double hundred in ODI cricket history.
