Trott unsure of Rashid's fitness ahead of the series decider

Sri Lanka produced a dominant performance in the second ODI to record a comprehensive 132-run win against Afghanistan and level the three-match series 1-1.

After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka were powered to 323 runs in the first innings courtesy off twin half-centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne (52) and Kusal Mendis (78) in the first innings. 

In reply, Dhananjaya de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga spun a web around the Afghan batters to scalp three wickets each and bundle them out for 191 runs to level the series. 

In the post-match press conference, as quoted by Cricbuzz, Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan Head Coach, rued lack of discipline by the bowling unit as the reason for their defeat. 

"I think we didn't start well enough with the ball, and throughout the middle overs, we were consistent enough, and obviously they have got in last ten overs 109 runs, and so that's not great," he said.

"When you lose a 50-over game by a margin of over 100 runs, you didn't do much right. So that's where we are, and that's what we need to improve for the next game."

"We have a day off tomorrow and practice on Tuesday, and obviously, the game was on Wednesday, and its about the process in this game and getting it flushed from the memory and looking forward to the next game, which will be I am sure a very good game," he said.

The visiting side were missing the services of Rashid Khan in the first two outings as the leg spinner was ruled out due to a lower back injury. While he was set to feature in the series decider on June 7, the former England player is still unsure about his fitness heading into the crucial clash. 

"We will just check and see on his fitness and see how his back is feeling, and then you will know when the team is announced on Wednesday,"

The 42-year-old also felt the batters did not apply much pressure in the run chase and adopt for an aggressive style of play which helped the Sri Lankan bowlers put pressure on them in the middle overs. 

"With the bat, we were obviously behind the rate. Chameera came and bowled pretty well, and I think we allowed them to bowl well at certain times and perhaps didn't put enough pressure back on the Sri Lankan bowlers when chasing that target, and so that's what we have got to work on for the next game," he concluded.