The 6th match of the Asia Cup 2023 between the Group B teams – Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan National Cricket Team and Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka National Cricket Team – ended on a dramatic note. The match was held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, September 05.
The Afghans entered the clash against Sri Lanka after facing a crushing 89-run loss to Bangladesh in their tournament opener. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, won their first game by 5 wickets against Bangladesh, which was a low-scoring encounter.
Both the teams needed to secure victory in the match to qualify for the Super 4 stage of the tournament, but it was a little more complex for the Afghans as they needed to register a big win to better their net run rate.
Winning the toss and batting first, Sri Lanka were able to post a challenging total of 291/8 on the board, thanks to Kusal Mendis’ sensational 92 and Dimuth Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, and Pathum Nissanka’s good contributions. Afghanistan needed to chase down the total within 37.1 overs to progress to the next round.
Afghanistan Lose Openers Early During Run-chase
Chasing the target, the Afghans were off to a poor start as they lost both star openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran early on in the innings. Then, Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah, and Hashmatullah Shahidi steadied the ship, but still they needed a game-changing knock to shift the momentum towards their side and Mohammad Nabi did that.
Mohammad Nabi played a breathtaking innings and scored 65 runs off 32 balls, with 6 fours and 5 sixes, before getting dismissed. Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, and Karim Janat also chipped in with crucial runs and the equation came down to 3 runs from 1 ball to qualify for Super 4.
Dhananjaya de Silva came to bowl and on the first ball, Mujeeb Ur Rahman tried to hit him over the long-on but didn’t get the elevation and was caught by Samarawickrama. Rashid Khan, who at the non-striker’s end, was absolutely heartbroken, he was on his knees in dejection and the entire Afghanistan dressing room looked shattered.
Watch – Rashid Khan Heartbroken, Afghanistan Players Shattered As Mujeeb Ur Rahman Gets Out
— No-No-Crix (@Hanji_CricDekho) September 5, 2023
However, Afghanistan were still in the game as they needed to get to 295 in 37.4 overs to qualify. However, it looked like the No.11 player Fazalhaq Farooqi wasn’t of the fact that and he played a few dots before getting out LBW, and Afghanistan faced a heartbreaking 2-run loss.
The post AFG vs SL: Watch – Rashid Khan Heartbroken, Afghanistan Players Shattered As Mujeeb Ur Rahman Gets Out And Sri Lanka Win Nail-biter appeared first on CricketAddictor.
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