The last group-stage match of Asia Cup 2023 concluded with Sri Lanka qualifying for Super Fours. Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 2 runs. Here is a recap of the second innings.
Kasun Rajitha gives early breakthrough to Sri Lanka
In order to chase down Sri Lanka’s 291 in just 37.1 overs, Afghanistan sorely needed a strong start. Kasun Rajitha, a right-arm fast bowler, provided Sri Lanka a fantastic start by taking two wickets in the first five overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was regarded as one of Afghanistan’s most important players in the effort to reach this goal, was taken out for just 4 runs in 8 balls. Ibrahim Zadran, Gurbaz’s opening partner, also failed to leave a significant impression on the game as he was out for 7 runs in 14 balls. Gulbadin Naib, the hero of Afghanistan’s first inning, played a quickfire cameo of 22 runs in 16 balls but was dismissed by Matheesha Pathirana during the powerplay.
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Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah keep Afghanistan in the chase
After losing three wickets and having only 50 runs on the board, the captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Rahmat Shah joined forces to quickly score runs. Both batters had a strike rate that was just slightly higher than run-a-ball. Rahmat took on the role of the aggressor before getting fired. He hit five fours and one six throughout his knock, which resulted in 45 runs off just 40 balls. In contrast, Shahidi contributed 37 runs in 34 balls to the 71-run fourth-wicket partnership.
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Nabi smashes the fastest ODI fifty for Afghanistan
Afghanistan was making modest progress towards the target when Mohammad Nabi entered the batting order, but it appeared impossible for them to take down the total in 37.1 overs. He and Shahidi put up an 80-run partnership that not only brought Afghanistan back into the chase but also put them in the lead for the first time in the second innings. In just 32 balls, Nabi scored 65 runs while hitting 6 fours and 5 sixes. The 38-year-old scored Afghanistan’s fastest ODI fifty in just 24 balls in an effort to advance his team to the Super Fours. His 16th ODI fifty was undoubtedly among the top three, if not the finest, of his career. Shahidi was the ideal partner for Nabi while he was at the crease because he rotated the strike effectively and made sure Nabi faced as many balls as possible. In the 80-run stand, Shahidi scored 11 runs off 15 balls. Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Nabi after Dhananjaya de Silva caught him long on.
Wellalage’s double strike in one over hurt Afghanistan’s chase
Dunith Wellalge was pricey with the ball in hand at first after contributing some significant runs in the first innings. He allowed 20 runs to score in his first two overs. In the 38th over, captain Dasun Shanaka made a wise decision by bringing him back. In his third over, Wellalage struck twice and dismissed Karim Janat and Shahidi. While Shahidi was the set batter after scoring 59 runs in 66 balls, Janat was playing an excellent knock and had already scored 22 runs in 13 balls.
Rashid and Najibullah almost do it for Afghanistan
Najibullah Zadran and Rashid Khan entered the batting order as Afghanistan needed 55 runs in 32 balls. Before being bowled in the penultimate over (in this case, the 36th over), Najibullah made a crucial 23 runs in 15 balls. Rashid just needed 16 balls to score 27 runs, but Dhananjaya de Silva’s 38th over the dismissal of Mujeeb ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi made his cameo ineffective.
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