The fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi contributed bowling stats of 3-11 to Afghanistan’s eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament’s opening game on Saturday.
When Afghanistan decided to field, they dismissed Sri Lanka for a pitiful 105, a total that their batsmen in Dubai eclipsed in 10.1 overs.
To continue the dominance begun by the bowlers, left-hander Hazratullah Zazai, who is unbeaten on 37, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanllah Gurbaz, who scored 40 runs, added 83 runs for the first wicket.
Afghanistan has had a strong start to their campaign in the six-nation competition that serves as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November. They are in Group B with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Left-arm fast Farooqi stood out for Afghanistan after sending Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka trudging back to the pavilion for two and nought in the opening over of the innings with consecutive deliveries.
Then Pathum was sent back by Naveen-ul-Haq. The batsman reviewed the on-field ruling after Nissanka was caught behind, but the third umpire confirmed the verdict despite there being no obvious spike on the ultra-edge, leaving the player and the dressing room in disbelief.
