Sri Lanka reached the Super Four stage after defeating Afghanistan in a thrilling match

In the sixth match of the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 2 runs following a thrilling match.

In pursuit of Sri Lanka’s 291 runs, the Afghanistan team was all out by scoring 289 runs in 37.4 overs.

Sri Lanka’s target of 292 runs in 37.1 overs for Afghanistan to reach the Super Four stage led Afghanistan to play aggressively despite falling wickets.

Afghanistan’s first three wickets fell for just 50 runs. Openers Rahmanullah Garbaz 4 and Ibrahim Zadran were dismissed for 7 runs while Gulbuddin Naib was left lbw for an individual score of 22.

After the early fall of three wickets, Afghanistan looked defeated in the match, but Rahmat Shah 45, Hashmatullah Shahidi 59 and Mohammad Nabi scored 65 runs to take the team back into the match.

Karim Jannat made 22, Najeebullah Zadran got out following making 23. Mujeebur Rahman and Fazal Haq Farooqui returned to the pavilion for zero while Rashid Khan remained not out scoring 27 runs.

For Sri Lanka, Kasan Rajitha took 4 wickets, Donith Villalega and Dhananjaya De Silva took 2 and 2 wickets respectively. Mahesh and Mitisha took one player each to the pavilion.

In the match being played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Sri Lanka scored 291 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs while batting first. Kaushal Mendis 92, Patham Nissanka 41, Charith Asalanka 36 and Dimuth Karunaratne 32 were the standouts.

Gulbuddin Naib dismissed 4, Rashid Khan 2 and Mujeebur Rahman 1 for Afghanistan.

Earlier, Sri Lankan captain Dasan Shanaka had won the toss and elected to bat first. On this occasion, he said that they will try to put pressure on the Afghan team by giving them a big target.

On this occasion, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said that they will try to make it possible to reach the Super Four stage by winning the match.

Sri Lankan squad

Dasan Shanaka (captain), Patham Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Mendis, Sudira Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Donath Velalj, Kasan Rajitha, Mahesh Rajakas, Mathisha Pathirana.

Afghanistan squad

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rehmanullah Garbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rehmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najeebullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Jannat, Gulbuddin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeebur Rehman and Fazlul Haq Farooqui.