Afghanistan failed to qualify for the Super Four after losing a close encounter against Sri Lanka
Afghanistan failed to qualify for the Super Four after losing a close encounter against Sri Lanka.
by PCB on 05 September 2023
Lahore, September 5, 2023: Afghanistan failed to qualify for the Super Four stage, falling short against Sri Lanka by a narrow margin. Sri Lanka set a target of 292, which Afghanistan had to achieve in 37.1 overs to qualify.
After winning the toss, Sri Lankan captain Dasan Shanuka decided to bat. Batting on a smooth surface, the Sri Lankan opening pair played a successful power play.
Sri Lanka scored 62 runs without the loss of any wicket. Relief for Afghanistan came through Rahat Gulbuddin Naib who took three crucial wickets in quick succession. Kosal Mendes' brilliant 92 helped bring strength and stability to the innings. Two important wickets fell in the 40th over bowled by Rashid Khan, after which the Sri Lankan batsmen could not do any significant damage to the Afghan bowlers.
Afghanistan needed to score 292 runs in 37.1 overs to qualify ahead of Sri Lanka. Despite losing three wickets in the first powerplay, Afghanistan failed to achieve their target.
An all-timer innings by Mohammad Nabi ensured that Afghanistan stayed in the game. Cameos from Najeebullah Zadran, Karim Jannat and Rashid Khan further helped Afghanistan get closer to the target in the required overs. In the end, however, it proved insufficient, as Afghanistan failed to score 292 in 37.1 overs, and lost their last wicket in the 38th over, marking the end of the game.
Sri Lanka, playing first, set a target of 291 runs in the allotted fifty overs due to Afghanistan's insistence, the target of 292 runs was to be achieved in 37.1 overs, but very well, the Afghanistan team scored 289 runs in 37 overs and 9 of its players were out. But 3 scores were to be made on 1 ball but could not be made and 37.4 ball all team will be out thus out of Super Four Sri Lanka won by 2 runs.
The first Super Four match between Bangladesh and Pakistan will be played tomorrow in Lahore at 2:30 PM (PST).
Score in brief:
Sri Lanka won by 2 runs.
Sri Lanka: 291-8 in 50 overs (Kosal Mendes 92, Patham Nissanka 41; Gulbuddin Naib 4-60, Rashid Khan 2-63)
Afghanistan: 289 all out in 37.4 overs (Muhammad Nabi 65, Hashmatullah Shahidi 59; Kasan Rajitha 4-79, Dinath Velalj 2-36)
Player of the Match: Kosal Mendes (Sri Lanka)
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