
The final group stage match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan has been a great game so far after the first innings. Afghanistan has restricted Sri Lanka to 291 runs. To qualify for the Super Fours stage of Asia Cup 2023, Afghanistan will need to chase this target inside 37.1 or fewer overs to beat Sri Lanka on NRR (Net Run Rate). Here is a quick recap of the first innings.
Sri Lanka starts well with the bat in hand
Sri Lanka chose to bat first after winning the toss at Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore. Openers, Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka ensured that they made full use of the powerplay. The duo scored 62 runs in the powerplay. Karunaratne was the first to be dismissed after scoring 32 runs in 35 balls by Gulbadin Naib just two balls after the powerplay. Nissanka became Gulbadin’s second victim as the opener was dismissed after scoring 41 runs in 40 balls. Sadeera Samarawickrama was Gulbadin’s third scalp, he was dismissed after scoring just three runs. Sri Lanka quickly slipped from 62/0 to 86/3 courtesy of three quick wickets by Gulbadin Naib.
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Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka share a century stand
After losing three wickets for 86 runs in 17 overs, Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially Gulbadin Naib had their tail up. Sri Lanka’s wicketkeepers, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka ensured that there were no further hiccups in the first innings. The duo shared a 102-run stand before Asalanka was dismissed. Mendis played the aggressive role in the partnership while Asalanka played the perfect anchor to his partner. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper scored 65 runs in 56 balls in the partnership. Rashid Khan came to the party when he picked Charith Asalanka’s wicket courtesy of a caught and bowled.
Afghanistan’s spinners put the brakes on Sri Lanka’s scoring
With the wicket of Asalanka, Afghanistan once again came into the match. When Asalanka and Mendis were batting, Sri Lanka were cruising at 188/3. But Rashid’s introduction and Asalanka’s wicket changed a lot of things. Four quick wickets meant that Sri Lanka scored 227 for the loss of 7 wickets inside the 40th over. Mujeeb ur Rahman took his first wicket when he bowled Dhananjaya de Silva. Kusal was dismissed in a very unfortunate manner. Dasun Shanka hit a full toss from Rashid straight to the bowler and he attempted to take the catch but the ball took a deflection from his hands and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Mendis was caught short of his crease and was dismissed for 92 runs in 84 balls.
Dunith Wellalage and Theekshana score crucial runs
Things looked bleak for Sri Lanka when skipper, Dasun Shanaka was dismissed for 227 inside the 40th over. Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana scored crucial runs down the order. The lower-order duo shared a 64-run partnership in just 63 balls. Wellalage scored 33 runs in just 39 balls. His knock consisted of 3 fours and 1 six. Theekshana scored 28 runs in 24 balls and was dismissed on the last ball of the innings by Gulbadin. Gulbadin Naib finished with four wickets as Afghanistan restricted Sri Lanka to 291 runs.