LAHORE: In a thrilling encounter at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Sri Lanka emerged victorious against Afghanistan in the sixth match of the Asia Cup 2023, securing their place in the Super Four stage by the slimmest of margins.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bat first in the tension-filled clash. They set a formidable target of 292 runs for Afghanistan to chase, showcasing Sri Lanka’s batting prowess in crafting a challenging total.
To secure a spot in the Super Four stage, Afghanistan needed to chase down the target within 37.1 overs. In a valiant effort, Afghanistan’s team managed to score 289 runs before being bowled out in the 37.4th over. It was a hard-fought contest that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
For Afghanistan to advance to the Super Four stage, they needed to win this match against Sri Lanka within 37.1 overs. While their batters displayed commendable resilience, they ultimately fell short of reaching the set target.
Afghanistan Captain Praises Team’s Effort
Disappointed Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed his pride in his team’s performance, saying they gave 100 percent. He acknowledged the team’s recent struggles, stating, “We have played good cricket in ODIs over the last couple of years. However, in the last four or five games, we were struggling,” and added, “We will learn from this and work on our shortcomings.”
