Mohammad Nabi’s recreation altering 65 off 32 balls got here to nothing as Sri Lanka pulled off an exciting two-run win over an audacious Afghanistan to qualify for the Super4s of the Asia Cup in Lahore on Tuesday. Kusal Mendis’ high-quality 92 had pushed Sri Lanka to 291 for eight on the Gadaffi Stadium. Due to their inferior run fee, Afghanistan wanted to chase down 292 in 37.1 overs and Nabi put them on the cusp of a well-known win by smashing the quickest half-century by an Afghanistan batter in ODIs. In what turned out to be a riveting end, the qualifying equation got here down to fifteen runs wanted off seven balls and Rashid Khan elevated the guts fee on both facet of the dressing rooms by discovering three fours off left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage within the thirty seventh over.
At that tense second, Afghanistan wanted three runs off the primary ball of the thirty eighth over with two wickets in hand.
However, Mujeeb Zadran’s wicket on the primary ball of the over brought about heartbreak within the Afghanistan camp with the frustration written all around the gamers’ faces within the dressing room.
Such was the extent of their dejection was that they weren’t alert sufficient to know that Afghanistan nonetheless had an opportunity in the event that they hit a six of the next three balls of the thirty eighth over.
Rashid was left stranded on the different finish with Fazalhaq Farooqi trapped in entrance by Dhananjaya de Silva.
Following the shut end, Sri Lanka grew to become the second staff to qualify for Super4s from Group B after Bangladesh.
Afghanistan had misplaced their prime three for 50 runs earlier than Nabi produced an innings to recollect whereas batting alongside skipper Hashamatullah Shahidi (59). His particular effort comprised 5 sixes and half a dozen boundaries.
Earlier, Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka (41) and Dimuth Karunaratne (32) gave a brisk begin to the innings earlier than being dismissed by medium pacer Gulbadin Naib.
Rather than the bowlers’ expertise, it was extra concerning the openers throwing their wickets away after a vivid starting.
Batting at No 3, Mendis then put Sri Lanka on target for a 300 plus complete with a close to flawless effort comprising six boundaries and three sixes.
The spotlight of his elegant innings was the consolation with which he performed the wily Rashid, who has constructed a status of foxing the perfect within the enterprise.
Mendis had no points choosing his googlies and within the twenty sixth over, labored him for 3 consecutive fours on the leg facet. Later in Rashid’s spell, Mendis made good contact with the leggies’ googly to ship it over lengthy on for a most.
The Sri Lankan batter deserved 100 however was run out in an unlucky with the ball bursting by way of bowler Rashid’s palms to crash the stumps on the non-striker’s finish, leaving Mendis properly out of his floor.
His 102-run stand with Charith Asalanka (36 off 43) additional consolidated for Sri Lanka however Afghanistan spinners eliminated Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Dasuna Shanaka in an area of six balls to decelerate the scoring fee.
In the tip, Sri Lanka did properly to get near the 300-mark due to a 64-run stand for the eighth wicket between Maheesh Theekshana (28) and Dunith Wellalage (33 not out).
(Except for the headline, this story has been edited by Mahaz News workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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Source web site: sports activities.ndtv.com
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