SHARJAH: Sri Lanka took the lead in the Super Four round of the Asia Cup 2022 by securing a win in the opening match against Afghanistan by 4 wickets. Sri Lanka chased Afghanistan total of 175 runs in 19.1 overs. In the opening match of the Asia Cup 2022, Sri Lanka lost to Afghanistan. This is the highest successful run chase by Sri Lanka against Afghanistan and also the second highest run chase in this Asia Cup 2022
Earlier, Afghanistan opener Gurbaaz led the charge against Sri Lankan bowlers with a stunning innings of 84 runs off 45 balls after Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. I Zadran complemented Gurbaaz well with 40 runs off 38 balls. At the end of 10 overs Afghan total was 83 for just one wicket. Although Sri Lankan bowlers pegged Afghanistan back in the last 5 overs by only allowing 37 runs and picking up 5 wickets, Afghanistan still reached a very competitive score of 175 for 6 wickets (20 overs). D Madushanka picked 2 wickets for 37 runs while Theekshana and A Fernando picked one wicket each.
Sri Lankan opening pair put together 62 runs before Kusal Mendis gave away his wicket for 36 runs. Pathum Nissanka scored 35 runs and looked set for a big score but fell for Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Afghan bowlers Rashid Khan, Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman was able to put pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen. Sri Lanka lost 3 wickets by the 13th over and stumbled to 108 runs, needing 68 runs off 7 overs to cross the line. Skipper Dasun Shanaka scored only 10 runs and fell for a stunning catch by N Zadran. Bhanuka Rajapaksha played a fiery innings of 31 runs off 14 balls together with Hasaranga scoring few boundaries (16 runs of 9 balls) to cross the winning line ( 179/6 off 19.1 overs). Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the Afghan bowlers with 2 wickets for 30 runs.
The much-awaited India Vs Pakistan encounter is scheduled on Sunday. (RZ) Image credit : ESPN cricinfo
