LAHORE: In a thrilling Asia Cup 2023 Group B encounter at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Sri Lanka has set Afghanistan a challenging target of 292 runs for victory.
Sri Lanka completed their innings with a total of 291-8 after their allotted 50 overs. Leading the charge for Sri Lanka was Kusal Mendis, who top-scored with an impressive 92 runs off 84 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes. His dismissal, run-out at the bowler’s end, denied him a well-deserved century.
Sri Lanka commenced their innings with a solid partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne, accumulating 63 runs in 10.2 overs. However, both batters, after promising starts, were dismissed for 41 and 32 runs, respectively. Charith Asalanka contributed 36 runs from 43 balls.
Towards the end of the innings, Dunith Wellalage (33 not out) and Maheesh Theekshana (28) added crucial runs, sharing a partnership of 64 runs in 63 balls for the eighth wicket.
Both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka maintained their playing XI from previous matches, emphasizing the importance of this contest in Group B.
Sri Lanka’s victory over Bangladesh in their Asia Cup opener positioned them well for the next round, and they continued their strong performance in this crucial fixture. However, Afghanistan faces a challenging task, needing to chase down the target in 37.1 overs or less to secure a spot in the next round.
Bangladesh has already secured their place in the Super 4 round of the Asia Cup 2023 with an 89-run victory over Afghanistan in Group B. Despite losing their opening match against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh’s dominance in their subsequent game ensures their advancement.
Group B Qualification Scenarios
Bangladesh: Qualified (official announcement awaits)
Afghanistan: Big-margin victory against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: A win or a low-margin defeat against Afghanistan
Both teams, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, are well aware of the stakes in this contest as they seek to secure their path to the next stage of the Asia Cup 2023.
Afghanistan Squad
1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Najibullah Zadran, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Karim Janat, 8 Gulbadin Naib, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sri Lanka Squad
1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Matheesha Pathirana
