In order to reach the Super Four stage of the competition, Sri Lanka bowled out Afghanistan for 289 while chasing a total of 292.
At the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by two runs in a thrilling group stage match of the 2023 Asia Cup.
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka played in a gripping match that Sri Lanka ultimately won in Lahore by two runs to advance to the Asia Cup’s Super 4 round. Afghanistan came incredibly close to winning the match but were bowled out for 289 in 37.4 overs, needing to chase down a 292-run mark in 37.1 overs to stay in the game. Afghanistan’s quickest ODI individual fifty, which required just 24 deliveries to complete, was criticised earlier by Mohammad Nabi. Despite being fired for 65(32), Afghanistan persisted in fighting till the very end. They slowed down as Lankan pacers Kasun Rajitha and Matheesha Pathirana made early gains in the chase.Afghanistan managed to stay in the game, though, with to Gulbadin Naib’s strong 40-ball 45. Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage, meanwhile, bowled a late blitz that propelled Sri Lanka from 227-7 to 291/8 in 50 overs. Wellalage came back unharmed at 33(39), while Theekshana was destroyed by Gulbadin (28 in 24 deliveries) with the final ball of the Lankan innings. By scoring 92 runs off of 84 deliveries, Kusal Mendis was the star batsman for the Sri Lankan team.
