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In a thrilling encounter, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka delivered the finest innings of his career, scoring a remarkable 127 runs under challenging conditions. His masterclass performance helped Sri Lanka secure a 49-run victory against Australia in the first match of the two-match ODI series on Wednesday.
Despite losing the toss and being put to bat first, Sri Lanka managed to put up 214 runs in 46 overs, with Asalanka's innings standing out as the backbone of their total. The target proved too steep for Australia, as they were bowled out for just 165 runs in 33.5 overs, giving Sri Lanka a well-deserved win.
Asalanka's Historic Knock of 127 Runs
The highlight of the match was undoubtedly Charith Asalanka’s fourth ODI century, an innings that will be remembered for its resilience and class. Facing 126 balls, he struck 14 fours and five sixes, leading his team from a precarious situation to a competitive total.
At one point, Sri Lanka was in deep trouble, losing half their side for just 55 runs. However, Asalanka stood firm, stitching together a crucial 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Dunith Wellalage (30). After Wellalage's dismissal, Sri Lanka soon found themselves struggling at 135 for eight.
Just when the team seemed on the verge of a collapse, tailender Ishan Malinga stepped up to support his captain. The duo put on a remarkable 79-run stand for the ninth wicket, with Malinga scoring just one run in the partnership. This incredible stand was crucial in pushing Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark.
For Australia, Sean Abbott was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 61 runs. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent Sri Lanka from setting up a challenging target.
Australia’s Batting Collapse – 4 Wickets Down for 31 Runs
Chasing 215, Australia had a disastrous start, losing four wickets for just 31 runs. Their top order crumbled under pressure, leaving the middle order with an uphill task.
A brief fightback came from Alex Carey (41) and Marnus Labuschagne (15), who shared a 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, just when Australia looked to be stabilizing, both batsmen fell in consecutive overs, putting their team in deep trouble once again.
Sri Lanka's bowlers kept the pressure on, not allowing Australia to recover. Eventually, the visitors were bowled out for 165 in just 33.5 overs, handing Sri Lanka a morale-boosting victory ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Mahesh Theekshana was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming four wickets for 40 runs, playing a crucial role in dismantling Australia's batting lineup.
This emphatic win gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series, setting the stage for an exciting second match.
