Asia Cup Cricket

Sri Lanka knocked out of the Asia Cup 2018

Who would have thought that a team who is a defending champion (ODI Format) of that same tournament will be knocked out on third day of the competition? Afghanistan defeated defending champion Sri Lanka by 91 runs, On Monday Abu Dhabi witnessed another master class by Afghanistan. They’ve beaten Sri Lanka for the first time in ODI cricket, and with it, they go through to the Super 4 round along with Bangladesh from this group while Sri Lanka go home.

After winning the all-important toss Afghan captain decided to bat first, as it was a do or die game for Sri Lanka, Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat gave their team a brilliant start of 57 runs, which laid the foundation to post 250 plus score after the departure of Shahzad (34 off 47), Rahmat Shah joined Ihsanullah, they both added 50 more runs to the total when Ihsanullah trapped in front of wickets (45 off 65). Afghanistan team kept progressing after losing their wickets oon regular intervals, but a handy knock of Rahmat Shah helped his team to finish at 249, which was already a par score against a team who is struggling to score.

It was already a good total, as everyone was expecting the variety of bowling Afghanistan team possess can challenge any batting line up in the competition, Not one Sri Lankan batsman looked comfortable against Afghanistan’s spinners as they bundled out for 158. Afghanistan’s Mujib, Gulbadin, Nabi and Rashid took 2 wickets each.

Afghanistan and Bangladesh are yet to fight for the number one position in the group on Thursday the 20th September before going to business end of the tournament in super 4 round.

Player of the Match: On a sensible knock at number Rahmat Shah (72) was awarded as the Player of the Match.

Rahmat Shah: “Wicket was very good to bat. Captain and coach gave me the plan to play straight. This match was very important for us. I am very happy to be a Player of the Match.”

 

Smart scorecard:

Afghanistan 249/10 in 50 overs (Rahmat Shah 72, Ihsanullah Janat 45; Thisara Perera 55/5)

Sri Lanka 158/10 in 41.2 overs (Upul Tharanga 36; Rashid Khan 26/2, Gulbadin Naib 29/2)

 

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