Kusal Mendis‘ 84-ball 92, which included six fours and three sixes, propelled Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 291 for 8, making them the clear favorites to go to the Super Fours over their opponents Afghanistan. To move ahead on Net Run Rate and advance in the competition, Hashmatullah Shahidi’s team must chase down this total in 37.1 overs.
Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne made a strong start for the openers on a scorching Lahore afternoon when Dasun Shanaka elected to bat first. Even though Afghanistan needed early wickets to keep the total low, they added 62 runs in the first 10 overs to set up a strong foundation for the batting side. When Dimuth Karunaratne was misdirected by a slower bowler and chipped a ball to Mohammad Nabi at cover, Gulbadin Naib eventually found a way to win the match. Nissanka, who also appeared to be in position, sliced a ball short and wide that went right to Najibullah Zadran at point, giving Naib his next success.
After two overs, Naib further damaged Sri Lanka by ejecting Sadeera Samarawickrama. When Charith Asalanka and Kusal Mendis joined forces to reinvigorate the innings, they added 102 runs in 16.3 overs, with Mendis reaching a quick half-century. Rashid Khan bowled the decisive blow in the 34th over for Asalanka, who had also been playing with a sense of adventure.
When Sri Lanka moved from 188 for 3 to 227 for 7, a phase during which Sri Lanka lost both of its set batters as well as captain Dasun Shanaka, Afghanistan’s spin duo of Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman momentarily put Sri Lanka on the back foot once more.
The tenacious eighth-wicket partnership of Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage, who added 64 crucial runs to push the side closer to the 300-run threshold, foiled Afghanistan’s attempts to keep SriLanka to a total under 250. As Sri Lanka finished on 291 for 8, the final five overs cost 39 runs.
Brief scores: Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka: SriLanka 291/8 in 50 overs (Kusal Mendis 92, Pathum Nissanka 41, Charith Asalanka 36; Gulbadin Naib 4-60, Rashid Khan 2-63).
India
