Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by four brackets in yesterday 2022 Asian Cup Super 4 Battle in Sharjah. In a tense encounter, the Lankans chased 176 men with five balls remaining.
Sri Lanka went bowling first after winning and drawing Afghanistan to 175 for 6 though Rahmanullah Gurbanz45 tackles 84. There was no big hit from Sri Lanka in the chase for the score. However, a handy 30 seconds from four batters and an undefeated appearance from Wanindu Hasaranga make sure they have crossed the limit.
Afghanistan remains in place with a chance to advance into the final five rounds. Sri Lanka needs 49 runs with six racquets in hand. Bhanuka Rajapaksa then take the first three balls of the 16th from Naveen-ul-Haq for 4,4,6. The match ended in an equally vibrant fashion as the hitter was dropped in the deep.
Hasaranga then defeated Fazalhaq Farooqi in two innings in the 18th when the equation reduced to eight runs with 12 balls. Although Rajapaksa (31 to 14) was slower to clear the ball by Naveen-ul-Haq at the penultimate, he kept Sri Lanka in control very well. Chamika Karunaratne (5*) sealed the win for the Lankans, prompting an all-round throw from Farooqi in the middle of the round for four.
Sri Lanka started confidently in the chase, reaching 57 points undefeated at the end of the half. Kusal Mendis (36 years 19) made a statement of intent, throwing the last two balls of the sixth inning into the bowling ball by Rashid Khan in the sixes. Naveen-ul-Haq used the short ball to eliminate Mendis, but Sri Lanka’s chase was very good and really effective.
Pathum Nissanka contributed an effective 35 out of 28 points before falling behind Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi gave his team a glimmer of hope, eliminating Charith Asalanka for 8. The hitter was hit by a pitch when he went inside on a tagline sweep. His dismissal made the chasing team difficult with a ratio of 94 to 3.
Mujeeb got his second as Najibullah Zadran made a good balance on the rope and made a clever catch to push Dasun Shanaka out of his way for 10. Danushka Gunathilaka hit him well. 33 before being shot by Rashid when he missed his sweep. However, there is no twist in the story as Rajapaksa and Hasaranga secure victory for the Lankans.
Sri Lanka fights back to limit Afghanistan at 175 for 6 after Rahmanullah Gurbanz quick 84
Hit the first ball, Afghanistan’s opener Gurbanz beat 84. However, Sri Lanka fought back well late to limit the batter to 175 to 6. Afghanistan was 138 to 1 at the end of 15 innings. fight. However, they have lost as many as five shots as they have only had 37 runs in the last five passes.
Gurbanz completely dominates the Sri Lankan bowlers. He pounded Maheesh Theekshana for six seconds in a row in the third round. The second maximum was initially claimed to be caught, but replays showed the boxer on the edge, Gunathilaka, touching the rope.
Even when Gurbanz was hammering and clamping at one end, Hazratullah Zazai struggled to get fluency. His misery ended when he was bowled over by Dilshan Madushanka with 13 points out of 16 because he missed a tagline. Unaffected by his dismissal, Gurbanz continued to attack and even scored a goal for Hasaranga with a six in the deep midwicket. This energetic young player has reached 50 in just 22 balls.
Afghanistan’s opening goal was aided by Ibrahim Zadran, who contributed 40 steady shots from 38 balls. 96’s second goal was broken when Gurbanz took the lead over Asitha Fernando to go deep into midwicket. Ibrahim then knocks Madushanka off with his short legs.
Nabi (1), Najibullah Zadran (17) and Rashid (9) all fell into quick runs when Afghanistan could not get a good final.
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Gurbanz has been great for Afghanistan, hitting four feet and six shots in 45 tackles 84. With that, Mujeeb impressed with two goals for 30 men.
For Sri Lanka, Mendis and Rajapaksa scored 30 seconds in a flash. Theekshana (1/29), Hasaranga (0/23) saved, while Madushanka claimed two points.
Despite ending in a loss, Gurbanz was named Man of the Match for his spectacular big hit.
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