Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi hammers second ODI century: Key stats
Mohammad Nabi played a mature knock against Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Pallekele. Nabi came up with his second ODI century after Afghanistan were reduced to 55/5 during their chase. The veteran batter mixed caution and aggression during his 136-run knock. He tonked 15 boundaries and three sixes. Despite his best efforts, Afghanistan posted 339/6 and fell short by 42 runs.
Career-best ODI score for Nabi
Playing his 157th ODI clash, Nabi has amassed 3,344 runs at 27.18. In addition to two centuries, he has also smashed 16 fifties. Notably, he is the second-highest run-getter for Afghanistan in ODI cricket. Nabi's 136 is his best score in ODI cricket. In 13 matches, he owns 392 runs versus Sri Lanka at 35.63. He also surpassed 1,500 runs (1,555) in away ODIs.
A responsible knock from Nabi
Nabi came out in the middle when the Afghans were 5/55 in the ninth over. He showed great composure and determination to steer his team out of danger. He clocked a 242-run partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai as both batters hammered big hundreds. Eventually, Nabi was dismissed for a career-high ODI score of 136 runs from 130 balls. Pramod Madushan picked up his wicket.
Second-highest partnership for Afghanistan in ODI cricket
Nabi and Omarzai were exceptional as they added 242 runs together for the sixth wicket. As per ESPNcricinfo, they registered the second-highest partnership for Afghanistan in ODI cricket. Nabi and Omarzai's stand was only behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran's 256-run opening stand against Bangladesh in 2023. Gurbaz and Ibrahim's 227-run partnership against Pakistan in Hambantota in 2023 is in third position.
Second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in ODI cricket
Nabi and Omarzai registered the second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in ODIs. The two all-rounders were only behind the New Zealand duo of Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi's 267-run stand against Sri Lanka in 2015. Mahela Jayawardene and MS Dhoni stitched a 218-run stand representing Asia XI against the World XI (2007).
Highest ODI score for Afghanistan
Afghanistan have posted their highest score in ODI cricket, surpassing the 338-run score versus Ireland in March, 2017. For the eighth time in ODIs, Afghanistan breached the 300-run mark in ODI cricket.
Here is the match summary
Sri Lanka reached a massive total of 381/3 courtesy of a historic 210* from Pathum Nissanka and a fifty from Avishka Fernando. Fareed Ahmad starred for Afghanistan with 2/79. In reply, Afghanistan were once tottering at 55/5 but a 242-run stand between Nabi and Omarzai helped them reach 339/6. Afghanistan lost by 42 runs but gave a good fight. SL's Madushan claimed 4/75.