Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka’s top scorer in the first ODI against Afghanistan revealed that his team was thwarted by losing the toss and forced to bat first on a pitch that played differently to either side at the Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium in Hanbantota on Friday.
“I think they (Afghanistan) benefited more from the toss they won to bat second. The pitch dried up in the afternoon and was good for batting unlike when we batted in the morning and there was moisture on the surface,” said Asalanka who top scored with 91 before he was run out while attempting to cross over and face the last five balls as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268.
The south paw batter said he targeted 16 runs in the last over hoping to give the team a total of 280 which he claimed would have been more challenging for Afghanistan.
“A target of 280 was what I had in mind when the last over began with 264 on the board. But unfortunately I was run-out. Even though we could not make 280 we fought until the end to defend the total we got and never gave up,” said Asalanka. “Afghanistan also batted well and did not give us any chances”.