SL VS AFG ODI

Right then. The inevitable has happened, and the match has been ABANDONED with no result possible. Sri Lanka will not be happy, as they were in good position to get the win here and level the series. This is also bad news for their hopes of gaining direct qualification to the ICC Men's World Cup in 2023, as they now have to win almost every game from now on to make it possible. Earlier in the day, Afghanistan, after choosing to bat first, got off to a decent start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah getting to half-centuries and adding 113 runs to the total. However, they got out in quick succession, which led to a batting collapse. Nabi attempted to recover and played a useful knock to bring Afghanistan to 228. The Lankan bowlers were brilliant in the middle overs, as they did not let the Afghans settle. Kasun Rajitha was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. They would have thought at the break that this was a reachable target, but the weather was not on their side, as they could only play 2.4 overs. The weather conditions got even worse, and ultimately the game was called off. This will hurt the hosts more than Afghanistan, as they now have to turn their attention to the third ODI and try to replicate their performance to level the series. That game will take place on Wednesday, November 30th, at 2.30 p.m. IST (9 a.m. GMT). However, as you know, our buildup starts much sooner. So, do join us for that. Till then, cheers and goodbye!

Update 8.54 pm IST (3.24 pm GMT) - Well, well, well! The covers are being peeled off the field. There is still hope for some game time here. But the rain shatters our hope by making a return.

Update 8.35 pm IST (3.05 pm GMT) - It looks like the rain gods are planning to stay for a bit longer as it has started to pelt down now. It doesn't look like we see the players out on the field again. Let us hope for the best.

Update 8.09 pm IST (2.39 pm GMT) - The news from the middle is not so good. It is still raining heavily. The latest cut-off time to start the game is 10 pm IST (4.30 pm GMT), but the resumption looks far away at the moment. Fingers crossed.

Update 7.41 pm IST (2.11 pm GMT) - There is still no official news from the ground yet. Which forces the waiting game to continue. The weather prediction have come to life here and it might not be surprising if we start losing overs soon. Hopefully, the conditions improve and we get to see some action.

UPDATE 7.16 pm IST (1.46 pm GMT) - OH NO! The rain has gotten a bit heavier now and the players are being asked to make their way out of the field. The ground-staff is up and running and in no-time the ground gets under covers. Hopefully, it is just a passing shower.

Back of a length and around off, angling away, Kusal Mendis takes a couple of steps forward and lets it go to the keeper.

Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls this on a hard length and on middle, Kusal Mendis covers the line and blocks it out.

Length again and around leg, Pathum Nissanka flicks it towards fine leg for a run.

This is on a good length and on midde, Pathum Nissanka looks to play at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

FIVE WIDES! Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls this full and down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka misses his flick and it moves further to the leg side after it goes past the batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz puts in a dive to his left but fails to reach it as the ball races towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Looped up, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis plays it back towards the bowler.

Shortish and on middle, Pathum Nissanka flicks it towards deep square leg for one more.

Floated, short and on off, turning in, Pramod Madushan knocks it back to the bowler, but he looks in a lot of pain.

Shorter in length and on middle again, Kusal Mendis moves back and pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

Pushed through quicker, on middle, Kusal Mendis blocks it to the leg side.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman starts with a tossed up delivery, full and on middle, angling in, Kusal Mendis mistimes his drive to mid-wicket.

It will be Mujeeb Ur Rahman to operate with the second new ball.