Asia Cup 2022 Super 4 Match 1: Sri Lanka edge past Afghanistan in a thrilling encounter

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 Sri Lanka proved their worth as they defeated Afghanistan in the opening match of the Super 4 stage of the 2022 Asia Cup played at Sharjah Cricket Ground, Sharjah on Saturday.

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to field first. It was an aggressive start by Rahmanullah Gurbaz putting the Lankan bowlers under pressure with lovely intent while Hazratullah Zazai struggled before being dismissed by Madhushanka. The Afghan openers put on 46 runs for the opening wicket laying a strong foundation. At the end of the first six overs, Afghanistan made 49 for 1.

After the field restrictions, Gurbaz kept the momentum going for Afghanistan with lusty hitting not allowing Lankan bowlers to settle. The explosive right-handed opener completed fifty off just 22 balls. Ibrahim Zadran also looked impressive with his shots keeping the scoreboard ticking. Afghanistan looked on course for a big total with the scoreboard reading 139 for 1 in the 15th over.

Ashita Fernando provided the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Gurbaz for a well-made 84 off 45 balls. Gurbaz and Zadran added 93 runs for the 2nd wicket. Madhushanka got rid of Ibrahim Zadran with a simple catch to Fernando at short fine leg. Mahesh Theekshana bowled a superb 19th over giving away just 3 runs including 2 wickets. He took a lovely return catch to dismiss Mohammad Nabi and then a superb throw by Hasaranga resulted in the run-out of Najibullah Zadran.

Despite going for a six in the final over, Ashita Fernando impressed as Rashid Khan was run out of the last ball trying to take a second run. Sri Lankan bowlers did a tremendous job allowing Afghanistan to score just 37 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Afghanistan posted 175 for 6 in 20 overs.

Chasing 176 runs to win, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka took a few balls to settle initially before putting pressure on Afghanistan trump card bowler Rashid Khan hitting him for 17 runs in his first over. At the end of the first six overs, Sri Lanka raced away to 57 for 0.

After the field restrictions, Naveen UL Haq grabbed the breakthrough dismissing Kusal Mendis with an easy catch to Ibrahim Zadran. The Lankan openers put on 62 runs for the opening wicket. Nissanka kept the momentum going for Lanka while Asalanaka did not look comfortable. Mujeeb UR Rahman struck dismissing Nissanka with a good catch by Gurbaz to put the Lankan team under some pressure.

Mohammad Nabi grabbed the wicket of Asalanaka taking the inside edge onto the stumps to make the match interesting. Dasun Shanaka promoted himself at number 5. Shanaka survived a close shout as the umpire gave it out but on review, it was overturned to not out as it was pitching outside off.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman produced the magic by dismissing Shanaka with a lovely catch by Najibullah Zadran at the boundary. Bhanuka Rajapaksa provided the momentum for Lanka along with Gunathilaka. Rajapaksa smashed Naveen UL Haq for a game-changing over. Rashid Khan grabbed his first wicket as Gunathilka hit a rash stroke. Gunathilka and Rajapaksa added 32 runs for the 5th wicket.

Hasaranga did a superb job with lovely shots keeping Sri Lanka on course for a win. Before the winning shot, Rajapaksa fell trying to hit the winning shot. Afghanistan bowlers made it hard for Lankan bowlers.

Hasaranga hit the winning runs with a lovely boundary to help Lanka win the match by 4 wickets. It was a superb effort against a good bowling attack from Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka 179 for 6 in 19.1 overs ( Kusal Mendis 36, Nissanka 35, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/30, Naveen UL Haq 2/40) beat Afghanistan 175 for 6 in 20 overs ( Rahmatullah Gurbaz 84, Ibrahim Zadran 40, Dilshan Madhushanka 2/37) by 4 wickets.

Despite Afghanistan losing the match, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was named the man of the match award.



  





Sri Lanka began the Super 4 stage with a thrilling 4-wicket win over Afghanistan 

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