Asia Cup 2023 Match No 6
Afghanistan Vs Sri Lanka Played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Pakistan
Sri Lanka 291/8 (Kushal Medis 92, Pithun Nissanka 41, Charitha Asalanka 36, Dunith Wellalage 33*, Dimuth Karunaratne 32. Maheesh Theekshana 28 , Gulbadan Naib 4/60, Rashid Khan 2/63 )
Afghanistan 289 All Out in 37.4 Overs (Mohammad Nabi 62, Hashmatullah Shahidi 59, Rahmat Shah 45, Rashid Khan 27*, Gulbadan Naib 22, Karim Janat 22, Kasun Rajitha 4/79, Dhananjaya de Silva 2/12, Dunith Wellalage 2/36)
Sri Lanka Won by 2 Runs
In a very crucial last group match of Asia Cup 2023 where situation was that Afghanistan must win by chasing the target set by Sri Lanka within 37 overs for advancing to the business round. Afghanistan did everything right reaching there, but for miscalculation, the tailender Fazal Farooqi faltered and got bundled out for 289 all out in 37.4 overs losing by merely 2 runs. The victory was well in sight less than a stroke away. Losing such an opportunity in a major tournament breaks the heart.
Sri Lanka winning the breathtaking contest advanced to the group of four and will now defend the title playing all matches at home against Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka won their first match against Bangladesh comfortably by 5 wickets. Afghanistan however lost heavily by 89 runs against Bangladesh. Afghanistan had no option but putting in their best yesterday. However, losing the toss and asked to bowl first on a batting paradise disadvantaged them a little. Sri Lanka despite of some smart bowling of Gulbadan Naib (4/60) and Rashid Khan (2/63) managed scoring a competitive score of 291/8 in the allotted overs.
Kushal Mendis scored brilliant 95 in 84 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. There were few other contributors like Pithun Nishanka 41, Charith Asalanka 36, Dunith Wellalage 33*, Dimuth Karunaratne 32, Mahesh Theekshana 28. Sri Lanka thought it enough as in the situation Afghanistan was required to chase the target within 38 overs.
With their back to the wall Afghan started their chase. But their mission got early blow as their two inform flamboyant openers Ramanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran returned cheaply with 27 runs on board by the 5th over. But undaunted Afghans then let out planned assault on Lankan bowling led by veteran Mohammad Nabi plundering 65 in 32 balls. Mohammad Shahidi contributed 59, Rahmat Shah 45, Najibullah Zadran 23, Gulbadan Naib and Karim Zanat each contributed 22.
Rashid Khan striking a quick fire 27 took the team within handshaking distance of the historic win by the 38th over. But he was stuck in the non-striker end while the tail ender Fazal Farooqi could not steal a single and hand over the strike to him. Instead, he got out. Afghans lost the match by 2 wickets. Afghans lost the match, got knocked out of the tournament but won the heart of all.
BDST: 1316 HRS, SEP 06, 2023
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