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In a thrilling encounter at the ICC Men’s World Cup on October 30, Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Hashmatullah Shahidi put up a spectacular performance, guiding their team to a resounding 7-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Chasing a target of 242 runs, Afghanistan displayed exceptional teamwork, securing the win with 28 balls to spare in Pune.
The match began with Afghanistan losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early in the first over. However, Rahmat Shah (62), skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (58*), and Azmatullah Omarzai (73*) turned the game in their favor with commendable batting displays. Their efforts led Afghanistan to a well-deserved victory.
Dilshan Madushanka took two wickets for Sri Lanka, while Kasun Rajitha claimed one. Sri Lanka managed to put up a total of 241 runs, ultimately losing all their wickets at 242.
Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka, known for his consistent performance in the tournament, was halted at 46 runs by Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai. Despite promising starts from Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (39), and Sadeera Samarawickrama (36), Afghanistan’s bowlers consistently took crucial wickets.
Also Read: Men’s ODI WC: Shahidi, Omarzai guide Afghanistan to victory after bowlers restrict Sri Lanka
Fazalhaq Farooqi emerged as the standout bowler for Afghanistan, securing four wickets. This collective effort, with contributions from Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rashid Khan, played a vital role in their victory.
Although Sri Lanka’s Nissanka had shown remarkable form in previous matches, he was caught behind by Azmatullah Omarzai after scoring 46 runs in a 60-ball innings. This marked the end of his streak of consecutive fifties in the World Cup.
Both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka face slim chances of reaching the semi-finals, with each having earned 4 points from their five matches. Sri Lanka holds the 5th position on the points table due to a better run rate, while Afghanistan is just below them in 6th place.
Afghanistan’s confidence is soaring after their impressive win against Pakistan. In their last game, Afghanistan’s spinners showcased their prowess, and the batsmen chased down a 283-run target with eight wickets in hand.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is riding high on confidence following a convincing victory over the reigning world champions. The Lankan bowling attack, led by pacer Lahiru Kumara, managed to contain the English batsmen in the previous game.
For detailed information on the squads and head-to-head records between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, refer to the end of this article.