Afghanistan comfortably beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets with all-around bowling and batting performance
Afghanistan national cricket team has taken the world by storm at the Cricket World Cup. Their remarkable journey from underdogs to potential semifinalists is a story for the ages. From 2015 to earlier 2023, Afghanistan won only 1 in 17 matches they played, now in just 4 matches, the team has registered 3 wins.
Afghanistan’s recent triumph over Sri Lanka was a pivotal moment in their Cricket World Cup campaign. This victory marked their third win in the tournament and kept them in contention for their first-ever semifinal appearance. It is not surprising at all because Afghanistan has played good cricket in last 12-18 months.
Afghanistan has now beaten three former World Cup champions
To some pundits and commentators, Afghanistan’s win was a surprise because they were once considered an outsider, managed to overcome three former champions on their path to glory. In India, they defeated the defending champion, England, in New Delhi, followed by a victory over the 1992 World Cup winner, Pakistan, in Chennai.
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Their most recent triumph was against the 1996 champion, Sri Lanka, in Pune. These victories were characterized by gritty performances and strong team spirit, showcasing Afghanistan’s rapid progress in international cricket. In total, Afghanistan’s batters have scored 9 half-centuries in this tournament so far.
The hero of the day against Sri Lanka was fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, who had been left out of the previous match. His return to the side was instrumental in Afghanistan’s success, as he took an impressive 4-34 to help dismiss Sri Lanka for a below-par total of 241 runs in 49.3 overs.
Afghanistan versed a clinical chase against Sri Lanka
Afghanistan’s pursuit of the target against Sri Lanka was nothing short of outstanding batting performance. Thanks to an unbeaten partnership of 111 runs from 104 balls between all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai (73 not out) and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (58 not out), they clinched a convincing seven-wicket victory.
Rahmat Shah’s contribution of 62 runs further solidified their position, as they reached 242-3 in just 45.2 overs. Sri Lanka’s batting performance, while promising in parts, ultimately failed to put up a competitive total. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis managed a partnership of 62 runs for the second wicket, but Afghanistan’s bowlers kept a firm grip on the proceedings.
The breakthrough came when Omarzai dismissed Nissanka for 46, with Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama adding 50 runs for the third wicket. Despite these partnerships, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain a run rate of five per over.
Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan further tightened Afghanistan’s control over the game, claiming crucial wickets, and Sri Lanka found themselves at 139-4 in the 30th over. Despite a brief partnership between Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva, Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Rashid Khan and Farooqi, managed to restrict Sri Lanka’s scoring, leaving them with no hope of reaching a score of 250.
Afghanistan only two win away from semifinals qualification
Afghanistan’s chase got off to an intense start when left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka dismissed hard-hitting opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a four-ball duck. However, the Afghan team continued to be positive and score runs. The required run-rate was never an issue for the team.
Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shah set the tone for the chase with a combined 73 runs off 97 balls for the second wicket. Madushanka eventually got Zadran out, bringing Shah and Shahidi to the crease. The duo added 58 runs off 67 balls, with Shah scoring 50 off 61, but he was dropped before being caught at backward point.
At 131-3, the game hung in the balance, but Shahidi and Omarzai maintained their composure, denying the Sri Lankan bowlers any chance of a comeback. Their partnership was further assisted by some subpar fielding from the opposition. Shahidi anchored the innings with his 50 off 67 balls, while Omarzai provided the late acceleration, scoring a quick 50 at a run a ball.
His final onslaught of 23 runs off the last 13 balls he faced, which included six fours and three sixes, ensured a comprehensive Afghanistan victory over Sri Lanka as continued their astounding journey in the Cricket World Cup.
