Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka Down Afghanistan In Asia Cup Super Four
Kusal Mendis’ fiery beginning and a key lower-order knock by Bhanuka Rajapaksa helped Sri Lanka to a four-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their Asia Cup Super 4 encounter on Saturday.
Kusal Mendis’ red hot beginning and a key lower-order knock by Bhanuka Rajapaksa helped Sri Lanka to a four-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their Asia Cup Super 4 encounter on Saturday. Set 176 for win, Sri Lanka rested on a going after 62-run opening stand between Pathum Nissanka (35) and Kusal Mendis (36) to achieve their target with five balls to spare at Sharjah. Afghanistan’s bowlers got regular wickets to destroy Sri Lanka’s middle order but Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s 31 off 14 balls and a quickfire 16 not out from Wanindu Hasaranga assisted them achieving the highest successful run chase at the desert venue.
Prior, Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 84 to direct Afghanistan to 175-6, a total that might have been bigger had Sri Lankan bowlers not hurt the Afghans with late strikes.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s effort came in vain after he put on a key second-wicket stand of 93 with Ibrahim Zadran, who made 40, after Afghanistan were made to bat first.
Afghanistan, who had squashed Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to move into the Super Four phase, managed only 37 runs in the last five overs and lost five wickets.
Dilshan Madushanka, a left-arm speedy, took two wickets while fellow quick bowler Asitha Fernando and spinner Maheesh Theekshana guaranteed one each.
Read Also: https://icasportsplus.com/pakistan-crushes-hong-kong-in-a-must-win-game-in-the-asia-cup/
In answer, Sri Lankan openers Nissanka and Kusal Mendis began firmly in the power-play. Nissanka went after the bowlers with a few boundaries and afterward Kusal Mendis dominated, crushing leg-spinner Rashid Khan for two sixes to raise his team’s fifty.
Nissanka went after the bowlers with a few boundaries and afterward Kusal Mendis dominated, crushing leg-spinner Rashid Khan for two sixes to raise his team’s fifty.
Pacer Naveen-ul-Haq got through eliminate Kusal Mendis after the batsman’s 19-ball cameo. Nissanka endeavored to keep up the charge however tumbled to spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman with Rahmanullah Gurbaz taking a sharp catch.
Danushka Gunathilaka made 33 to keep the chase on track regardless of the loss of Charith Asalanka and captain Dasun Shanaka at the other hand.
