On Tuesday, Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by two runs in the Asia Cup 2023 Group B match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore to go to the Super 4. Afghanistan was eliminated for 289 runs in 37.4 overs, chasing 291 runs.
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2023 Super 4
Afghanistan failed to reach Super 4 by chasing the target in 37.1 overs or less. If Afghanistan had reached 295 in 37.4 overs, they could have qualified. But the last man, Fazalhaq Farooqi, didn’t know that, as he defended three balls in the 38th over and was dismissed on the third one instead of giving the strike to Rashid Khan, who had scored 27 off 16. Thus, the Afghan attack began with all-rounder Mohammad Nabi’s 65 runs in 32 balls, including six fours and five sixes.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 59 runs in 66 balls to help Nabi. After winning the toss and batting first against Afghanistan in the critical Group B match, Sri Lanka set a 292-run goal. Also, Sri Lanka scored 291-8 in 50 overs. Kusal Mendis scored 92 runs in 84 balls with six fours and three sixes to lead Sri Lanka. He missed a well-deserved hundred after being run out at the bowler’s end. So, Sri Lanka started well with Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne hitting 63 runs in 10.2 overs.
Both failed to score after starting and were dismissed for 41 and 32 runs, respectively. In 43 balls, Charith Asalanka scored 36 runs. Dunith Wellalage (33 not out) and Mahesh Theekshana (28) contributed 64 runs in 63 balls for the eighth wicket to boost the innings. Gulbadin Naib took 4-60 in 10 overs, while Rashid Khan took 2-63. Each team didn’t modify their starting lineup for this game.
